Sammy Khalaf is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Heritage Academy Laveen High School for AZPreps365.com

It’s not every day that a sports team in its very first season goes on to dominate the competition and make the playoffs with a near-undefeated record.

That is the case for Heritage Academy Laveen girls’ flag football. 

It all started when a group of girls from Heritage’s softball team came together with the idea to form their own flag football team. Heritage athletic director Andrew Saathoff gave the go-ahead. The team connected immediately with most of the team containing softball players. That was a big factor in their success this season. 

The Heroes started their inaugural season 7-0, destroying every team they faced. Their undefeated season ended at the hands of St. Mary’s Catholic High School on Oct. 24.

The Heroes, however, were able to bounce back to finish the season 10-1, going 5-0 in region play, and finishing first in the 4A West Valley Region. 

The Heroes ended up finishing fourth in the 4A conference behind Mesquite High School, Prescott High School, and St. Mary’s. 

It was revealed Saturday that Heroes will be the fourth seed in the postseason. They will host Flagstaff High School on Wedneday. If the Heroes are victorious, they will play either Deer Valley High School or Scottsdale Christian Academy in the second round.

Heritage head coach Steve Ladrigue, who also coaches varsity softball, said that the girls have done a fantastic job despite everybody being new to the game of flag football. 

“They’re just buying into what we’re doing,” Ladrigue said. “They’re learning, we’re having fun, and it has just been a good year.”

Ladrigue said that he sets goals for the teams he coaches throughout the season. It’s no different for flag football. 

“We always try to set a goal of try to win region first, two to make the playoffs,” Ladrigue said. “Our goal is always to be as best as we can be by the time we get to the playoffs. It’s a learning process that you continue to learn as the season goes.”

Heritage quarterback Savana Soltero said that her softball experience contributes to her success with flag football this season.

 “I can show more leadership,” Soltero said. “I can take accountability sometimes.”

Soltero said that it feels great to be successful and to play alongside her teammates in the inaugural season. Her sister, Sieana, shares the same feeling because they are twins. 

“It feels good,” the other Soltero said. “Just throughout the game, I feel like we have some good connections and that travels throughout the game.”

Soltero envisions a bright future for Heritage flag football because of how much the sport has grown across the country. 

“I see the sport at the school growing more and more girls wanting to play,” Savana Soltero said. 

The Heroes are taking advantage of the growing popularity of girls’ flag football. They entered the season as newbies to the game and have successfully exceeded all expectations. The Heroes will stop at nothing to win and bring the state championship home to Laveen.