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Six new teams competed in the experimental Chautauqua-Catalaugus Athletic Association division, with the host school changing every Sunday. At the end of the season, Fredonia defeated Jamestown 14-12 at Strider Field to win the league title.

“I thought it would be a very exciting and great experience for everyone to play and learn the sport for the first time last season,” Fredonia head coach Nick Bertrand said. “It was great to see these women and young women learn a new sport from scratch and gain the nuances and skills they need to be successful.”

Girls' flag football continues to grow across the state, with the first state championship to be held at Cortland High School in early June to determine champions in Division 1 and 2.

“We're in our third year overall, just in Western New York and New York State,” Bertrand said of the growth of the sport. “In the first year, about 10 teams with strong players from BED participated, but last year six teams participated in the league, and the road ended in regional competitions in the state.As the sport continues to develop, this year it will be Division 1. and Division 2-style state tournaments. More schools will be established across the state and will move to a classification model like other sports in the coming years. Sho.”

Janelle Barchanowski (left) and the Climber/Sherman/Panamanian women's flag football team are among the smaller programs without a team this season. PJ file photo

However, as the sport continues to advance, several of the teams that competed in the CCAA division last year are not fielding teams this season. As it turned out, none of the smaller schools that competed last year made it back, eliminating Climber/Sherman/Panama, Chautauqua Lake and Cassadaga Valley.

“I think the decision on our part is based on the numbers,” said Ty Harper, who coached Climber/Sherman/Panama last season. “We have a lot of talented athletes who play a variety of sports. We also do softball and track together, but at the end of the day we were only practicing one day a week.” The decision they would have had to make in choosing the sport put us at a competitive disadvantage.”

Last year's schedule was favorable for teams in the CCAA Division, which have players participating in multiple sports, but with more complex schedules in Section VI's three leagues, Clymer/Sherman/Panama, Chautauqua Lake, and Cassadaga. The flag football program in the Valley did not survive. Due to the demands necessary to create a competitive team, it was not practical for a team to have a player in his two sports practice or play multiple games throughout his week. .

“I think the talent is definitely there,” Harper added of flag football at Climber/Sherman/Panama. “I thought our team was talented as well, but we had a competitive issue where it was hard to compete when you only practiced one day a week. If we had, we would have been better. At the end of the day, they're going to do what's best for our district, and I don't want to put other athletic programs at a disadvantage.”

With the exception of the Netherlands, which does not have a softball program, only schools in Class B and above typically field flag football teams. The smallest local school competing this year is Southwestern, with 317 BEDS compared to Holland's 195. Meanwhile, Cassadaga Valley has 182, Chautauqua Lake has 176 and the Climber/Sherman/Panama combination has 296.

The size of the Climber/Sherman/Panamanian team appears to be capable of playing flag football, but unlike Chautauqua Lake and Cassadaga Valley, they will likely have to share players with two softball teams.

This year's Game 6 flag football format is a bigger effort than ever. The 30 participating schools are divided into three divisions: Division 1 is made up of 10 schools with BEDS numbers above 788, including Jamestown; Division 2 North is made up of 11 teams with BEDS numbers below 787; South will be the deadline. Last 9 teams with numbers less than 787.

Due to the increased number of opponents, the number of matches has increased from last year, with three matches per week scheduled at irregular intervals. A tighter schedule means more preparation for opponents, especially since CCAA teams have to go out of their way to scout other teams.

“This year it's more challenging because it takes just over 24 hours,” Bertrand said of the schedule. “So Coach Kachelmeyer and I emphasized fundamentals and game preparation the day before the next game. It's a complete commitment and they are active learners who work hard on film study on and off the field. And you can watch the film and analyze it. It's hard to go back to basics when you only have one day to prepare your team.”

Division 2 South will see the remaining local teams compete against each other, including Dunkirk, Fredonia and Southwestern. Fredonia has already played its first league game of the season, traveling to the Pioneers and losing 26-0, but the only game on the schedule is this Tuesday at Fredonia's Orange Bowl against rival Dunkirk. Become.

“We're excited to play our first ever home game,” Bertrand said of Tuesday's game. “I'm most excited for these girls to be pioneers in this sport. It's not often that you're the first to do something, but it's great that they will be the first girls to play in the Orange Bowl. These are two very proud communities and they can now be a part of it.”

Dunkirk vs. Fredonia in the Orange Bowl was originally scheduled for last Friday, but was postponed to Tuesday due to inclement weather. The Marauders will be looking for their first win after losing to Hamburg 46-12 on Wednesday.

Jamestown also experienced severe weather last week, which caused Thursday's trip to the Niagara Wheatfields to be postponed. The 0-1 Red & Green will return to action today with a sweet home game at Strider Field at 6:30 p.m., but Southwestern will not play its first game until Friday against Lackawanna at 5 p.m.

Schools with student numbers that can keep women's flag football viable will continue the young season, while smaller schools will not be able to compete, at least this year, while already established teams such as softball and In sports, tight schedules are always likely to be a barrier. Athletics stadium.