At a school without a football team, the students’ desire to experience that game-day atmosphere evolved into a student-founded event that packed the sidelines and became a highlight of the school year. 

On November 7 Latin hosted Parker at the Lincoln Park soccer field for the inaugural coed flag football game between the rival schools. The schools competed in a four-quarter flag football game with seven players per side, including a requirement that at least two of the players on the field on each side at a time had to be girls.

Parker came out strong when junior Brady Harris intercepted a pass on Latin’s first drive which “got the game going and got it hype,” senior and player Dal Harrell said. Harrell added that senior and quarterback Max Satterfield’s runs also added to the excitement of the game which was felt both on the Parker bench and sideline. 

“When we scored, the whole entire sideline started chanting and screaming, and it was really fun,” junior and spectator Ayla Pressman said. Despite rushing and passing touchdowns from Satterfield and other players, including a receiving touchdown by junior Sonia Petinelli, Parker ultimately came up shortlosing 35-33. 

“It was a good mix of competition and fun, especially with the amount of people that came to watch,” Harris said. “Football is a sport that is not offered at Parker, so having this opportunity was really unique and special.”

This game-day experience was the result of student planning and preparation over the preceding months. Earlier this year, students in positions of leadership at Latin reached out to Student Government president Ella Goodman and Student Athletic Council (SAC) heads Harrell and senior Payton Yagoda, proposing a Latin versus Parker flag football game. The students met over Zoom a few times to discuss logistics, while Student Government Advisors Jeanne Barr and Joe Bruno met with the Latin athletic director before setting the date and selecting a roster.

To select the roster, Harrell and Yagoda chose seniors Zan Jones and Spencer Koh to coach based on their interest through a google form. The coaches then narrowed down the forms of  interested students who filled out their name and the position that they wanted to play by seniority. The final roster and position were selected based on which players expressed the most interest by showing up to tryouts and practices. 

Once the roster was set, the team moved into preparation for the game. Tryouts, two practices, and a game-day-run-through were held. These primarily consisted of touch scrimmages to get all of the players comfortable with their positions and playing together on both sides of the ball. 

As the players prepared on the field, student leaders were also busy organising fundraising events to support a cause. On the day of the game, before Parker’s players walked together to Latin’s fields, Harrell and Yagoda held a bake sale in the alcove in which goods were contributed by members of the SAC team. Similarly, Latin held a hot chocolate fundraiser and raffle before the game to raise money for their Hope Squad – a student-led program formed to support mental health and suicide prevention. Parker raised $60 in which they sent to Latin to contribute to the cause. 

While supporting mental health was a major goal, the game also aimed to increase school spirit and celebrate the rivalry between the two schools.

“We’re great rivals… When we get together, it’s a lot of fun.” Harrell said the event was also to “raise school spirit, and it’s something fun to do on a Friday night, to bring the community together.”

Furthermore, because of both schools’ promotion of the event, Harell said, “There [was] a lot of good attendance” from students of both schools. The sidelines were filled. 

“I loved seeing the crowd, and love seeing Parker people and Latin people getting together and cheering for their friends and their teammates,” Harrell said. “My reaction as SAC head [is that I’m] actually so thrilled that it actually came together and we executed it pretty well.”

The possibility of a spring rematch is high according to Harrell. Harrell and Yagoda have already begun planning logistics for the anticipated game. Expected logistical changes include getting support from the athletic department as well as an adult coach, potentially from the PE department, to draw up plays, organize practices and in-game playing time, and offer additional adult supervision during the game. According to Harrell, Parker may also host the spring game.

“I really hope that we can make it a Parker tradition because getting to play in it is one of the things that I’ll remember for a long time in my life,” Harris said.