AOL’s flag football team gets Dome spotlight

by Kim Roberts

By Kim Roberts
Clarion Herald

The Academy of Our Lady (AOL) in Marrero was invited to play a flag football scrimmage against Sophie B. Wright School from New Orleans during halftime of the Saints’ final preseason game against the Tennessee Titans in the Superdome on Aug. 25.

AOL was one of only two Catholic school teams that participated in the inaugural season of the Saints Girls’ High School Flag Football League that completed competition in May with AOL placing second and De La Salle securing first-place honors. The other eight teams were from public schools.

Chance of a lifetime

“Getting the opportunity to play in the Superdome was such an unreal experience for me,” said AOL senior Sophie Croy. “I feel so blessed to know that we are making history for other young girls in the sport.”

According to AOL coach Joel Lutz, girls’ flag football is the fastest-growing, high school sport in the state and the country.

“It’s really admirable that the Saints have taken on an initiative starting a high school flag football league for girls locally,” he said. “They started with 10 teams, and we were lucky to be one of the teams selected. They reached out to us, and we immediately said yes and had a great season. These girls learned to play the sport for the first time. They really soaked it all up and did such a phenomenal job. We had a storybook season.”

Lutz added that the opportunity allowed the female athletes, who started training in this sport only a year ago, to showcase their skills on one of the most iconic stages in professional sports – the Superdome field. The halftime game was truly an unforgettable experience for the entire team.

“The chance to play in the Superdome is something our students will remember for the rest of their lives,” said Salesian Sister Michelle Geiger, principal. “It’s a testament to the players’ hard work and dedication both on and off the field.”

A game changer

Lutz said football is a sport that young men dominate, but the broader opportunity offered by the Saints for women to participate can change the narrative.

“Our goal is to get young women excited and curious about flag football and to further promote the sport,” he said. “What’s been really cool about this sport is it has brought in girls who maybe wouldn’t have otherwise played a sport in high school. Girls from different backgrounds, different upbringing are playing together for the first time.”

To say that they are grateful for the opportunity to play in the Superdome is an understatement.

Lutz said it was an unbelievable experience to play in the final preseason game and is something his team will never forget.

“Some of my girls on the team are going to attend a Saints game one day with their family, and they are going to be able to say, ‘You know, I played football on that field,’” Lutz said. “How awesome is that?”

As the Saints continue their season, and the AOL flag football team gears up for its upcoming season, the Lady Penguins can count their halftime scrimmage in the Superdome among one of their many achievements, reminding football fans of all ages that dreams can come true in New Orleans.

“I am so incredibly grateful for this opportunity and forever grateful for my coach and team,” junior Diamond Ly said.

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