CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - On Friday, March 20, John Jay flag football opened its season at Contest Field, with Jason Kuhlmann coaching his first game for the Wolves. With only seven days to prepare, a new system to implement, and a few key absences, it was a tall order.
“They all add up to a 21–0 loss,” he said.
Still, the first half was a battle. The teams remained locked in a 0–0 tie, each bending but not breaking.
John Jay opened on offense, and Emilia Koronowski got things going quickly. The running back took the handoff and danced seven yards to the 30 for a first down. Gianna Pelosi followed with a quick two-step move, spinning up the middle for another gain to the 38.
There, the Wolves stalled and were forced to punt. Put Valley took over, and Summer Scrocca quickly made an impact. A reception and two runs moved the visitors to the John Jay 31.
However, the Blue Tigers went no further, and on the change of possession, John Jay began to move the ball again. Pelosi launched a pass upfield to Lina Halaifonua, the tallest player on the field. Though the pass fell incomplete, a pass interference penalty moved the ball to the 31.
A sack pushed the Wolves back six yards, prompting Pelosi to take matters into her own hands with another spinning run for nine yards. Still, John Jay was unable to convert on third-and-five and turned the ball over on downs.
With strong field position, Put Valley again threatened, but the Wolves’ defense held firm. After a first down, Chan recorded a sack, and Pelosi came up with an interception with 10:29 remaining in the second quarter.
Kuhlmann praised his quarterback’s effort. “She’s a model athlete,” he said.
On the ensuing drive, Pelosi connected with Halaifonua in stride, though the receiver was unable to secure the catch. Still, Kuhlmann sees promise in the pairing. “We’re trying to work on the connection, so I think it could be good,” he said.
Two plays later, that potential flashed. Pelosi lofted a pass over the top, and Halaifonua made an impressive sideline reception.
Starting from the 27 with 8:32 left, John Jay again showed promise, including a first-down run by Rachelle Linares. However, Put Valley answered with an interception at the 4:34 mark.
Pinned at the seven-yard line, Put Valley nearly gave the ball right back when Chan appeared to have a pick-six in her hands. Instead, after a bobble, Scrocca secured the catch for a first down.
The Wolves stayed resilient. Sofia Berisha recorded a sack, and Pelosi broke up a deep pass to force a turnover on downs.
John Jay mounted one more late push. A reception by Danielle Weisfeiner moved the ball from the 30 to the 20, giving the Wolves a chance with 49 seconds remaining. But Scrocca intervened again, intercepting the pass and appearing headed for a touchdown before Pelosi made a touchdown-saving flag pull.
Coming out of halftime, Put Valley seized control. A sustained drive brought the ball deep into John Jay territory, but a tackle by Pelosi and a sack by Koronowski halted the advance at the seven.
Moments later, however, Scrocca broke through. Stepping into the passing lane, she intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown, giving Put Valley a 7–0 lead.
With 5:01 remaining, John Jay was unable to respond. On the ensuing punt, Scrocca returned the ball to the 19, setting up another quick strike. One play later, Blaze Connolly scored to extend the lead to 14–0.
Scrocca continued her dominant performance, recording another interception to give Put Valley possession at the 15. Two plays later, Connolly found the end zone again, pushing the lead to 21–0.
Though the deficit proved insurmountable, Kuhlmann remained optimistic.
“We’ll round into shape,” he said.
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