BY EVAN BROWN
FOR THE OBSERVER
SMITHS STATION — Glenwood School’s inaugural flag football season came to an end Nov. 3 as the Lady Gators (7-7) fell 21-0 to McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in the first round of the Class Private AA playoffs at Sammy Howard Field. It was the program’s first playoff appearance.
The Lady Yellow Jackets (8-9) scored all 21 of their points in the first quarter, establishing a dominant run game to take control before Glenwood settled in defensively and kept McGill-Toolen off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
According to Glenwood head coach Aly Cadenhead, the opportunity to host the program’s first playoff game was a milestone that extended beyond the final score.
“It’s an honor, a privilege,” Cadenhead said. “This is historical. It was a historical event tonight, and the fact that we could have it at The Swamp made it even more special.”
The Lady Yellow Jackets opened the scoring with a rare safety to take a 2-0 lead before adding a touchdown. They failed on the PAT but soon followed with a long run to the outside to go up 14-0.
After another Glenwood punt, McGill-Toolen found the end zone for the third and final time on a 52-yard run by Heaven-Leigh Davis off a direct snap, giving the Lady Yellow Jackets a 21-0 lead.
Glenwood struggled to establish its offense early, but the Lady Gators kept looking for opportunities to get back into the game. The offense began putting together longer drives in the second quarter, moving the ball into McGill-Toolen territory.
Neither team scored after halftime. Glenwood continued to move the ball at times, but McGill-Toolen came up with stops whenever the Lady Gators approached the end zone.
Despite the loss, Glenwood finished .500 and earned a playoff berth in the program’s debut year.
Cadenhead said the team’s guiding word throughout the season was “trust,” and she emphasized the importance of players believing in their coaches and one another.
She added that hosting a playoff game in the program’s first season sets an example for the teams that follow.
“It kind of sets the bar for future years. If we make it to the playoffs next year, we definitely want to host our first game like we did our very first year,” Cadenhead said.
Cadenhead said she hopes the experience gained this season will translate into more success next fall.
“Now that we have that first season under our belt, we kind of know what to expect, and we obviously know the game more,” Cadenhead said. “I want to win more games next year.”
For Lillie Moody, being part of the first team in program history was an experience she will carry with her beyond her final season.
“I’m going to remember the memories I made with my teammates and getting closer with all these underclassmen,” Moody said.
One of those memories came in Glenwood’s rematch against Valley High School. After losing the first meeting 26-21 at home on Oct. 14, the Lady Gators bounced back with a 19-13 road win 13 days later.
“Beating Valley the second time after losing to them, that was one of the best memories,” Moody said. “It was a competitive game, and it was just great to get a victory and be a part of this team.”
With a postseason appearance already in hand after one season, Glenwood will look to build on that foundation next year.
The Lady Gators will lose four seniors — Paisley Bailey, Ava Burns, Kenzleigh Carter and Moody — and return 11 juniors, sophomores, freshmen and eighth-graders from this year’s varsity team.
