For the defending champion Lo-Ellen Park Knights junior girls flag football team, the likes of Annabelle Richardson and Lia Gallo are already quite well acquainted with the end zone.
Not so much the case for defensive stalwart Ella Gatien.
With her team already up 7-0 on the Bishop Alexander Carter Gators Wednesday afternoon at James Jerome, Gatien hauled in a pass that was bobbled by the receiver and darted 64 yards for the major, her team capping off a 28-0 win with all of their points coming in the opening half.
"I was going up to try and get the flag from the player in front of me and all of a sudden, I see the ball flying through the air," noted the 15 year-old Sudbury Lady Wolves veteran who lined up as a rusher in her first year of flag football last fall.
"I thought: I have to get this; this is my opportunity," Gatien continued. "I got the ball - and now I actually had to go. I was running down the field and I felt like the "chosen one". I was just so happy."
"It's my first touchdown ever, so I was pretty pleased."
While the Knights are returning some very talented grade ten student-athletes, they are also welcoming that traditional influx of newcomers as a very deep coaching staff (Steve Gallo, Dave Gatien, Cliff Richardson, Kristen Dubreuil, Alison Gomm) can offer much in the way of helpful advice.
"The coaches are really good at helping us learn new positions, giving you different plays and making sure that you understand what to do in certain situations," noted (Ella) Gatien.
"This year, I am more in the middle (of the defense), so more focused on the running back than the quarterback. It's a little bit of a change but I enjoy it a lot. I think I am good at reading the play and seeing where things are going."
Joining Gatien on the scoresheet for Lo-Ellen were Lia Gallo (TD + 4 PATs) and Annabelle Richardson (2 TDs).
A defensive battle in game two would see the Lockerby Vikings put just enough points on the board to slip past the Marymount Regals 8-2, even if none of their scoring came from the offensive unit.
Maeva Traynor recorded a pick-six that was converted by Zoey Brazier, the latter adding a single a little later on while Milla Szanto was credited with the safety for the Regals.
Only a touch more scoring in game three as the Lasalle Lancers upended the Horizon Aigles 13-7 behind touchdowns from Eliza Rybiak and Chloe Robichaud and a point after kick that split the uprights by Veronica Paquette.
Makenna Messier countered with both a TD and a convert in a losing cause.
Early signs suggest the St Charles College Cardinals might well present the stiffest test to the LEP Knights as the Cards posted an impressive 26-7 win over the Confederation Chargers to open their junior girls season.
Alyssa Bryant recorded a pair of touchdowns for SCC, with the other two coming courtesy of Kloe Rienguette and Kahlan Judd. Lois Appiah-Hagan made good on a pair of conversions while Sierra Kitchikake broke the goose-egg for the Chargers, crossing the goal line as Avery Brooks followed with the PAT.
