MISSOULA — The first crosstown games, highlighting the inaugural season of girls flag football in the Garden City, took place this past Wednesday.
Missoula Sentinel took the win over both Missoula Big Sky and Missoula Hellgate, while the Knights claimed second place with a win over the Eagles.
“It's easiest to inspire myself with the pressure," Big Sky's Raigan Foster said.
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Being part of Missoula’s first girls flag football season is something the players don’t take lightly.
“High school girls playing football. It's something that we've never been able to do before," Hellgate's Elan Torretti said.
They’re paving the way for the next generation.
“Show them that they can do whatever they want, like anything is possible for them," Sentinel's Naya McKinney said.
"You don't have to be a part of something that's already established," Sentinel team member Kira Imhoff echoed.
To highlight the game, the Knights, Spartans, and Eagles squared off at MCPS Stadium.
“We wanted to make this crosstown game a bigger event, not just a regular Wednesday night game, but we wanted to really showcase the fact that flag football is in Missoula for girls," Organizer and Sentinel assistant coach Andrea Mooney said.
The showdowns drew crowds, and both bleachers were full of fans.
“It’s just really cool to see an all-girls sport be so important to a whole town," Foster shared.
On the field, the girls are building a passion for flag football.
“It's great to feel like a meaningful member of a team. Everyone's congratulating each other, cheering each other on, and also keeping each other accountable for the mistakes we make and holding each other up," Torretti stated.
Soon, these Missoula teams will face squads from all across the Treasure State.
“Just a great opportunity for us to really showcase ourselves and show how far we've come," Imhoff said.
