Caption:Lakeland quarterback Nichole Ljuljic displays her championship arm of a year ago.
Credits:Rob DiAntonio
YORKTOWN, N.Y. -- Flag football season is already underway at local schools. Lakeland opened its 2023 title defense with a win, while Yorktown is ready for its “First Harvest.” Here's a look ahead to the season.
Lakeland
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Lakeland finished last year 15-2-1, including winning the first-ever Section 1 Division 2 title game, 6-0 against Brewster at Mahopac.
The Hornets continued that momentum going into this season with a 14-13 opening-day win against visiting Mahopac on March 22.
Offensively, Lakeland was led by Nichole Ljuljic (4-12, 93 yards, 2 TDs, 2-pt conversion passing, 46 yards rushing), Samantha Del Ponte (2 catches, 60 yards, TD, 2-point conversion receiving, 9 yards rushing), Kelly Mallon (29-yard TD catch), Emma Dedushaj (4-yard catch), and Gabby Santini (4 rushing yards).
Leading the Hornets’ defense in tackles were Haley Santucci (14 tackles), Grace Nugent (6), Riley Waters (4), Santini (3), Dedushaj (3), Mia Lucia (2), Del Ponte (2), and Mallon (1).
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Ljuljic (senior QB, All-League) is one of the Hornets’ top returning players.
“Nichole is very athletic and possesses an excellent arm as well as high football intelligence,” said Lakeland third-year coach PJ Nyberg. “We expect her to have a big season this year.”
Del Ponte (sophomore WR/RB/CB) is coming off an All-Section campaign.
“She possesses breakaway speed and quickness as well as a very competitive attitude,” Nyberg said. “She is expected to continue her exceptionally positive high school athletic career.”
Santini (junior WR/RB/CB) earned All-League honors a year ago, for a team whose goals are to win both the league, just missing it by one game last year, and repeating as section champs.
“Gabby has proved herself to have above-average catching ability and led the team last season in interceptions with nine,” Nyberg said. “Gabby has a very competitive nature and it radiates throughout the team. She is expected to be a vocal leader of our team this upcoming season.”
Anchoring the offensive line is senior Maeve Dineen-Herzog.
“She has done an excellent job now for her third season as our center,” Nyberg said. “Her snaps have been great as well as her work ethic when blocking.”
Lakeland’s top newcomers are Dedushaj (senior WR/CB), who possesses a natural ability to play in space, Waters (freshman WR/RB/CB), who has shown above-average quickness and a great all-around feel for the sport, and Mallon (freshman WR/safety), who has displayed an ability to play on both sides of the ball efficiently.
Ljuljic, Santini, and Dineen-Herzog are Lakeland’s three captains.
“My expectations for these girls vary, but I am very proud to call them all captains,” Nyberg said. “Maeve is the level-headed leader of our team. There are a lot of personalities and competitive spirit, so Maeve is the calm and collected leader that is much needed for every good team. Gabby is a very energetic and fun individual. She lets most of her talking happen on the field but is extremely vocal and supportive of her teammates. Nichole brings the energy. She is extremely competitive and will never back down from anything. On offense, she runs the show and everyone knows it. On defense, she is her team’s biggest cheerleader. You will hear her constantly yelling words of encouragement, motivation, and positive feedback.”
Yorktown
Yorktown coach Mike Rescigno, after coaching the Husker boys on the gridiron for 15 years, has enjoyed his brief time coaching the first girls flag football team in Husker history.
“We have dubbed the season the ‘First Harvest’ amongst ourselves because of the significance of laying the first seeds to a brand new ‘crop’,” Rescigno said. “The seeds are officially in the ground. We hope to cultivate something special.”
Like with the boys, he stressed a family atmosphere.
“I have learned very quickly that when you have a group of girls that want to win and care about each other like family, the reward of coaching them feels amazing,” Rescigno said. “In all my years of coaching tackle, the most important characteristic that our team could embody was family. These girls have become sisters in a short period of time and play with an edge. I love it.”
Rescigno, whose team was to open against visiting Hendrick Hudson on March 26 after its original opener three days earlier was postponed at Clarkstown due to inclement weather, said that it’s too soon for him to single out our top players.
“I can tell you that the one thing that I know is whoever’s number is called, these girls are all ready to go,” Rescigno said.
For Rescigno, his goal is a simple one.
“For me as their coach, my goal is to give these girls what they deserve,” Rescigno said. “A chance to feel how amazing the challenge of being a football player really is and how it can change your life.”
Yorktown hosted a scrimmage on March 18, which included Brewster, Walter Panas, and Maria Regina.
“All of our goals were achieved,” Rescigno said. “We took care of each other. A family was galvanized. We ran around like our hair was on fire and we had a blast. Most importantly we proved that we are willing to square up with anyone. For me, this was the best part of the scrimmage. We must believe that when united, we can jump in the ring with anyone.”
Kaitlyn Judge, Chloe Quilles, Alina Rivera, Mackenzie Meola, Kiera Mooney, Marissa Madden, Zoe Pearce, Eva Monaco, Drita Tinaj, Emma Santos, Kaitlin Meola, Sofia Gentile, Maddy Reilly, Sophia Miralles, Liv DelGaudio, Megan Sharkey, Bridget O’Sullivan, Charlotte Lauth, Cori Rosenberg, Stephanie Douglas, Mia Chee, and Ciara O’Brien make up the Huskers’ roster.
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