The Americas High School Trailblazers poured it all out on the gridiron, winning the first Region 19 Female Flag Football Championship on May 22 at the SISD Student Activities Complex (SAC) II.
Americas, from the Houston Texans division, dominated the game by defeating Harmony Science Academy, from the Dallas Cowboys division, with a final score of 25-6.
"I'm taking a (win) with me tonight. You know, this is history. This is like a once-in-a-lifetime type of thing, and, I'm just really proud to have done it with the team I did it with,” said Na’Sya Atkins, who played wide receiver and cornerback for Americas High School’s first female flag football team.
The Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans, in partnership with the El Paso Sports Commission, Zebra Sports, and area high schools, launched the Region 19 Female Flag Football Pilot and Championship in January. This initiative aimed to empower young female athletes and promote the growth of women's sports in the community.
Eight schools in Region 19 participated in the program, representing a total of 38 teams. The season kicked off on April 29 and featured a six-game regular season with matches held at various schools throughout the city, including SAC II.
Elizabeth Boulden, Americas High School flag football coach, said the flag football program was a great opportunity for multisport female athletes to showcase their skills and talents.
“They can do anything they want to, you know, from flag football. They're basketball kids or softball kids, but just being here, just coming out here and playing, it’s just a great opportunity for them and then just keep it going,” Boulden said.