The St Benedict Bears junior girls flag football team have a lot of quick learners.
Despite introducing a pair of new quarterbacks and returning only a small handful of players with flag football experience, the Bears opened the 2025 season with a 25-0 shutout of the Lively Hawks.
Edna Fofana, Kallie Smith, Allie Vaillancourt and Emma DeMarchi recorded one touchdown apiece, with Emma-Leigh Scott rounding out the scoring with a convert.
"Even a lot of our grade tens are new," said safety Isabella Rocca, one of the few who can draw upon some grade nine experience, be it limited as it was. The talkative 15 year-old suggested that it's all about maintaining the right kind of attitude that will make the fall more enjoyable.
"Whether we missed a throw or missed a catch or missed a flag, nobody really got down on themselves. They kept going and came back with ever more energy - and that's all you can ask for."
"Don't get worked up over mistakes," Rocca continued. "They happen. You saw multiple ones out there today. Just try your best and have fun."
After getting a feel for the lay of the land last year, Rocca has inherited the all-important role as defensive safety this fall.
"It's kind of like being the quarterback of the defense," she explained, quite thoughtfully. "Your job is to watch over everything and call the play: a run, a pass. You are going to get tricked a few times; I got tricked a few times."
Mia Michaud crossed the goal line on three separate occasions while Lexa Pharand and Evaline Lacroix did the same once each in a 36-25 victory for the Sacré-Coeur Griffons over the Rivières des Francais Muskies.
Annebella Fortin, Annabelle Pettis and Emma Champagne all chipped in with a two-point conversion while Isabelle Seguin (2 TDs), Audrey Pitre (TD), Audrey Leblanc (TD) and Summer Loder (PAT) replied in a losing cause.
No scoring to report in game three as the Lasalle Lancers junior girls and the Bishop Alexander Carter Gators junior girls played to a scoreless 0-0 draw.
The same two teams went at it in Senior Division "A" action with the Lancers prevailing 14-6. Tessa Demers and Yasmine Ahmed accounted for the six point scores with Isabelle Roy converting both as Tyla MacLeod (TD) answered for BAC.
