West Orange HS Athletes Tackle Their First Flag Football Home Game

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the West Orange High School Sports Media Association. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Excitement is in the air as West Orange High School gears up to host its first-ever Flag Football home game against Nutley on April 24 at 5 p.m. The game will take place on Lincoln Field at West Orange High School, and admission is free, so come out and support your team!

The inaugural roster includes 28 talented players, each bringing their unique skills to the field. The team is captained by Shilin Roupe (‘23), Rihobot Mamo (‘23), Paige Ashley (‘23), Mackenzie Young (‘24), and Shani-Love Dishmen(‘24), who will lead their team to victory.

The West Orange Flag Football team is in good hands with head coach Andrew Mazurek at the helm. A West Orange native and alumnus of West Orange High School's class of 2002, Mazurek has an impressive background both on and off the field. He has worked as a graphic artist for 17 years and has been a special education paraprofessional at Redwood Elementary for three years. In addition, he has been coaching with the West Orange PAL for 12 years and has served on the West Orange High School Varsity Football coaching staff for five years. Mazurek's vast experience in coaching and dedication to his community make him an ideal leader for the team.

The Inaugural West Orange Flag Football team roster includes: Leslie Odoemene, Aayana Morman, Camaya Jean Louis, Katherine Ogando, Nyla Pierre, Jailee Samson, Anaya Karriem, Maliya Vinas, Jazmyne Nuguid, Breanna Smith, Isabella Martinez, Leila Smith, Ayanna Jones, Olivia Lambert, Jordyn Bruno, Sydney Wood, Cristina Pariona, Mara Sindiga, CC Saintsuline, Kylynn Slaughter, Kaycie Champagne, Ziah Carillo, Faarah Rexach, and Chrissie Felissaint. This talented group of young athletes has been training hard and is eager to show off their skills on the field.

Flag Football is a non-contact sport that emphasizes agility, speed, and strategy. Players wear flags attached to their waists, and the opposing team must pull off the flag to end the play. The game is fast-paced and requires quick thinking, making it an exciting sport to watch.

In 2020, women's flag football became an official college sport, with 15 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) universities launching their leagues in 2021 and already offering scholarships to female athletes. Learn the rules of the game here.

According to a recent article published by Connect Sports, “Increased avenues for girls to play flag football competitively as teenagers, college students, and adults has resonated to the tune of 40% increased participation in both travel and high school flag football teams.”

Come out and support the West Orange High School Flag Football team on their home turf. Whether you are a die-hard fan or a first-time spectator, this game is sure to be a thrilling experience. Let's go, West Orange!

Follow their journey on Instagram (@wo_flagfootball) and check out photos and behind-the-scenes video from their recent media day.

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