Hornell girls win first flag football game, 'very special experience'

The stadium lights were on at Maple City Park as the spring high school sports season got underway this week in Section V. Passerby might have wondered if a baseball game or a track meet was in action, but both guesses would have been wrong. History was happening in Hornell as the first flag football game in Hornell high school history took place on a chilly Monday evening March 23.

Temperatures dipping into the low 30s and snow flurries in the air could lead to a bunch of miserable players. On the contrary, there wasn’t a single player, coach or fan in the stands that complained about the weather because the game was that much fun to get your mind off the frigid New York weather at Maple City Park. Hornell also made sure to send its fans home happy, running away with a 52-13 win over Geneseo to quickly get the new program its first win.

“I couldn’t be happier and more excited for this group of girls," said Hornell head coach Mike Wilkinson. "Being a brand new program in a league full of experienced teams, they worked hard all winter to put themselves in position to enjoy an opening night like tonight. They are a group that you can tell really enjoys the game and working with each other.

" Every play at the season opener drew cheers and congratulations from players and coaches on both sides of the field. Even with a 52-13 victory for Hornell, you would think with the pure jubilation on the Geneseo bench that they had won the game. But in reality it was the opposite and the girls just enjoyed playing a new sport that has been created for the girls in Section V and has grown so fast the New York State Public High School Athletic Association has created a state tournament for flag football.