Throughout Pasco County Schools, flag football has been introduced as a brand new sport for students to participate in this school year! There were bunches of girls throughout all grades at Sunlake High School who went to try out for the inaugural season of Sunlake’s very own flag football team. Since this team is new, it creates an opportunity for many girls to bond as it brings them together to work towards a goal of having an amazing first season. Coach Jimmy Barbarise joins the Sunlake High coaching squad with a ton of experience and knowledge on flag football, and hopes to lead the Seahawks to many victories this season. Many who have played for coach Barbarise describes him as a very motivating coach, and that they bring the team together positively with their dedication to the sport and the team. Tryouts for the team consisted of offensive and defensive days, where they did things like agility, sprints, and even working with tennis balls. Flag football is new for many of the girls, so along with conditioning, the girls also learned different routes, forms, and positions where they were tasked to communicate and to work as a team. For example, Junior, Jazleen Vega is new to playing flag football, “I have not had experience playing flag but it could help me develop different skills, create a bigger environment of people that I know, and adding an exciting new sport on my schedule.” Jazz also plays on the girls soccer team at Sunlake, making her one of the schools many dual athletes. Being on the first ever flag football team will be something that will be recognized for years to come, when Jazz was asked about how she felt about being on the first ever team she exclaimed, “It honestly feels like an honor to be on the first ever team, representing Sunlake and representing all of the girls that had graduated who never got to experience flag football for Sunlake. I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for team bonding and just having fun.” The Sunlake community is ready for the inaugural season of the flag football team, as the Seahawks are predicted to have a standout season!