BY GENE NARDI
The Seminole Ridge High School flag football team hosted the District 23 playoffs Wednesday, April 29 and closed out the tournament by taking the team’s fourth title in the last five years with a convincing 33-0 win over Glades Central High School.
The Hawks shut out Wellington High School 42-0 in the semifinals. Seminole Ridge (14-0) combined for 75 points without giving up a score in those playoff games.
The win also means that the Hawks remain unbeaten this season. They are currently ranked No. 1 in the state in the Florida High School Girls Flag Football Power 25 Rankings.
Seminole Ridge quarterback Emily Coulter threw for three touchdowns, and defensive back Yazmin Salguero intercepted two Raider passes for scores to lead the Hawks to the district title.
“The win means a lot to this team because most of these girls were sitting behind the girls who played the last few years and were mostly starters since tenth grade,” coach Austin Bowe said. “They wanted to get in there and show they could do this, too, so it means a lot to them.”
Coulter connected with Madeline Harding for a short touchdown pass, the game’s first score. The Raiders suffered consecutive interceptions, both returned for touchdowns by Salguero, to give the Hawks a commanding 20-0 lead minutes into the game.
Coulter then met up with receiver Gabi Oliver for a couple of scores to end the half with a dominating 33-0 lead. Despite a scoreless second half, it was all the Hawks would need for the win.
“We played well tonight, and our corner [Salguero] made huge plays,” Bowe said. “Our quarterback [Coulter] could not be playing better, and I think we have two of the best quarterbacks in the state.”
The Hawks defeated John I. Leonard High School 33-0 in the first round of the state play-in on Saturday, May 2 at Park Vista High School. The win marks three shutouts for Seminole Ridge in post-season play and a combined 108 points.
The Hawks played Palm Beach Gardens High School in the regional final Tuesday night, but results were not available by press time.
ABOVE: The 2015 Seminole Ridge High School flag football team won the district title last week.
