TUBA CITY, Ariz. — The Tuba City High School Lady Warriors hosted the Coconino High School Lady Panthers in flag football last month at Tuba City High School’s Blue Canyon Memorial Stadium, a first for both schools. This will be the second season for Arizona Interhigh Association Girls Flag Football, but the first for Tuba City and Coconino. Another first is the fact that the two schools have never faced each other in any football game.
Once the game started, Coconino quickly took control of the field after his interception, but was stopped by the referee. This is a new game played with new rules, from officials from both schools to the competition director. The referee continued the game, and Coconino kept the ball, eventually scoring a touchdown. Tuba City brought in Jaylin Acoslee at quarterback, but Coconino kept up the pressure and forced Tuba City to turn the ball over after a fourth down.
This was Acosley’s first game back after suffering a concussion during a game against Bradshaw Mountain High School. Akoslee’s sister Natasha played quarterback during Akoslee’s absence.
As the game progressed, Coconino continued to dominate the Lady Warriors, and the Lady Warriors lost to the Lady Panthers. “This is a new venture for our girls, a new initiative that will bring the community together, and a first for Tuba City and the surrounding area,” said April Claremont, Tuba High School Athletic Director. said. “I think this game is spreading to other communities. Now we have Monument Valley and Page here.”
Tuba City head coach Joe Baca also said the girls were excited to play and the fan support was great.
“We’ve had students ask about next year, so I think the program is definitely growing,” Baca said. “In fact, there was a shortage of jerseys, so we had to have an approved outside company make them for us until we introduced the official jerseys.”
Team members from Tuba City High School and Coconino High School gather for prayer after the game. (Photo/Gilbert Honany)
The team will lose 11 seniors at the end of the season, so a large number of female players will need to join to keep the team going.
Baca said he has been in touch with other athletic directors outside the district and there is a possibility of expanding activity on the reservation.
“The camaraderie between the different teams is great,” Baca said. “Tonight, Coconino and I got together after the game and prayed for each other. It doesn’t look like that.”
Tuba City, Monument Valley and Page currently participate in their own conference called the Grand Canyon Conference, which is designated as Class 4A. The Mountain Sky class, which consists of Flagstaff, Coconino, Bradshaw Mountain, Mayer, Mingus Union and Prescott, will remain open until more schools decide whether to create programs about the Navajo or Hopi Nation. , Tuba City, Monument Valley, and Page. reservation.
