Flag football: a collection of strength, speed, coordination, and grit. Mentioned as a nominee in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, it is certainly a fierce, and competitive sport. This year, GA takes on flag football in a returning series called “February Flag” conducted by Maddy Donches 24’ and Eva Kraynyak 24’, with student-led teams for each grade. The bracket results are out, and the rundown is here.
Each of the eight teams had two captains on the Germantown Academy seasonal football team and a range of five to six players. Each team had a specific color: freshmen wore white, sophomores wore red, juniors wore blue, and seniors wore black.
The games began with the two teams from each Upper School grade level playing each other. After this set of games, winner and loser brackets were created using the initial results.
The following playoff games consisted of the winning teams from the grade levels, from each of the previous games. The winning sophomore team, with captains Josh Cain 26’ and Sean McGettigan 26’, played the winning freshman team. In a closely scored game, the sophomore team made it to the next round where they would play the junior team.
It may be said “the older the wiser”, which was especially true when the juniors played the seniors in a tough championship game on Feb. 28. With a captivating halftime show featuring Mr. Joe Taylor and Mr. Jibri McLean against Mr. Steven Moll and Mr. Kyle Donahue, the game was worth watching.
The senior team led by captain Max Langsfeld 24’ played the junior team with captains Zach Kniese 24’, Jack Wescott 24’, and Maloy Lafferty 24’. The field house, full of the GA Upper School student body, watched as the seniors led their team to a win. With the dominating roles of GA Feb. Flag heads Donches and Kraynyak, there was no question about who took home the title. The final standings: Seniors 1st, Juniors 2nd, Sophomore 3rd, and Freshman 4th.
Ultimately, flag football, or “February Flag,” has found a home in GA’s student body. The games, which lasted a little over a week, brought a feeling of competition and excitement to campus that will continue for years to come.