By LOGAN FULLER and CHRISTINE YU
Jericho High School is proud to announce its first year of girls flag football, and there is no better way to hear about it than from those who are most involved with it.
Coach O’Malley – Girls Flag Football Coach
“I’m very excited that Girls Flag Football will be coming to Jericho. Over the last few years, the sport has been growing and expanding very quickly at the varsity level both in Nassau County and across the state. I’m excited that our student-athletes will have the opportunity to participate here in Jericho. I’m really looking forward to working with new students and teaching them how to play the game, how to compete, and how to be their personal best on the field. I’m also personally looking forward to building the playbook with Coach D’Antonio and learning more about the Xs & Os since flag football is so different from coaching boys football in the fall. Regarding what I’m looking for in a team, I hope we have a group of girls who are eager to learn, excited to compete, play with great effort and have great energy on the field.”
Freshman Running Back Taylor Benbasset
“I love being active, and I have played flag football in the past. I love watching football, and I am so excited for this sport to come to Jericho. This upcoming season I would love to get better at football, have fun and be a part of the first Jericho girls flag football team.”
Freshman Linebacker Alexa Mermelstein
“I have been playing flag football for about six years now. I’m looking forward to this season, and I am super excited flag has become a school sport. This season, I want to improve my ability to catch long-distance balls and become faster. I am super excited about what this season brings and that this amazing sport is coming to Jericho! I cannot believe that the Flag is being recognized as an Olympic sport. Although I will not be participating in the 2028 Olympics I would love to go watch!”
Freshman Wide Receiver Mimi Devellis
“I have been playing this sport for a couple of years now and I am very excited it has become a school sport. I think playing flag will be a lot of fun. Hopefully, I’ll learn some new skills, meet some new people and have a great season. I love watching football and think it’s great that girls have an opportunity to play. I’m really excited that we have a team and I can’t wait to start the season!”
Senior Quarterback/Wide Receiver and Student Council Co-President Katelyn Choi
“This new addition is such an exciting step for our school. I’m sad it wasn’t implemented sooner for me to grow with. Our football program has come so far—from sharing a team with another school to now having our own, and even branching out into flag football. But it’s not just about adding a sport—it’s about creating more ways for girls to get involved in athletics and feel like a part of something bigger at Jericho. I’m excited to see this new team bring the same energy and excitement, garnering school spirit and marking its place in Jericho history.”
Coach D’Antonio – Assistant Coach
“I’m really excited to be a part of the inaugural season of a sport that has been stereotypically geared toward boys. I fell in love with football at a young age, and loved playing in a competitive flag league as an adult. Since it’s our first season, there’s going to be some trial and error, but we have to start somewhere. I am excited to work with Coach O’Malley who eats, sleeps and breathes football. I think we’re going to create a solid program, and I look forward to leading our girls to a successful first season.”
Ms. Mercante – Guidance Counselor
“It’s very exciting to have the opportunity for girls to play flag football in an environment that is structured and set up by the school. I think it’s a cool experience. It’s an incredible opportunity for girls to get to play in the Olympics.”
Dr. Finlay – Assistant Principal
“I think adding a sport that seems to be catching fire, particularly on Long Island, is very cool and relatable. It’s great to see opportunities for girls not playing a spring sport to play one and it’s always great to be a part of a team. I can’t wait to see flag football become an Olympic sport in 2028.”
John Mankowich – Jericho Athletic Director
“With flag football on the rise, we surveyed girls who might have an interest in playing. Surrounding schools have started offering girls flag football as a school sport so we decided to give it a try. It’s another spring option for more girl student-athletes to play.”
Best wishes to the team in its inaugural season!
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