YORKTOWN, N.Y.—Last year, Yorktown's flag football season enjoyed a dream debut season, going 14-1-2 and winning a league championship in its first year of play.
The way they’re starting off this season, the Huskers look to be among the favorites to play in the 2025 Section 1 Class B championship game on May 24 at Lakeland High School.
Yorktown won its fifth straight contest to start this season with a 19-0 victory against visiting Walter Panas on April 9.
One of the contributors to the Husker victory was Eva Monaco (37 rushing yards, rushing TD, 39 receiving yards, receiving TD, receiving 1-point conversion).
“Being able to stand in our huddle postgame and say that we are officially 5-0 was an amazing feeling,” Monaco said. “Our record only means that we have not and will never stop working and improving and reflects the immense amount of work that has been done so far.”
There are numerous reasons why the Huskers have been able to get off to such a fast start.
“Winning our first five games of the season has come from many things that make our team who we are,” Monaco said. “The girls have worked so hard to grow as a unit, not only working on ourselves, but pushing each other and working to make every practice a meaningful one. Keeping drills at high intensity and having a constant flow and plan to every practice keeps the team focused and determined to get everything that was planned done.”
As has been the case throughout the season, it was a team effort offensively. Joining Monaco in contributing to the victory were Sophia Marcello (47 rushing yards, 16 passing yards), Heilee Leonardo (52 rushing yards, 55 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, passing 1-point conversion), and Keira Mooney (20 receiving yards, receiving TD).
“Offensively, we have improved so much over these last five games,” Monaco said. “We have added to our game vocabulary, and our plays are starting to become muscle memory. Running plays 10-plus times at practice over and over again, observing, and fixing our runs until they work flawlessly increases our chances of the play being a success in game. Our amazing head offensive coach, House (Mike Rescigno), has an amazing mind for our offense and thinks of almost every combination he believes our offense is capable [of executing]. Overall, our offense has continued to improve every practice, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish next.”
The Huskers’ defense has also been spurred on by excellent teamwork. Leading that effort against Panas was Chloe Quiles (5 tackles), Mia Chee (2 tackles, 5-yard interception), Izy Walling (2 tackles, 12-yard interception), and Corinne Negrelli (2 tackles, sack, 20-yard interception).
“Defensively, we were able to shut out Panas working as a team,” Chee said. “We have great players all around with our linebackers, Steph Douglas, Sofia Gentile, and Sydney Soliz who locked down the quarterback. On our next level Maddy Reilly and I switch on and off with Chloe Quilles and Corinne Negrelli, at corner, and behind us we know that our safeties Ava Costello and Mackenzie Meola always have our backs.”
The shutout against Panas was the Huskers’ fourth in five games. Yorktown has allowed just one touchdown so far this season.
“Our team has been able to make this defensive accomplishment because of our communication and our ability to hold ourselves accountable after mistakes,” Chee said. "But most importantly, we have been able to do this because we operate as a family. No matter what happens, we know all the players, captains, and coaches will always have our backs and support us.”
While happy with the win, Chee stressed the importance of continuing to put the work in.
“Winning our fifth game in a row felt great, but it is important for our team to keep the ball rolling, and keep working hard,” Chee said.
Yorktown also won at Poughkeepsie 41-0 on April 7.
Pacing the Huskers rushing-wise against the Pioneers was Monaco (33 yards, TD, 1-point conversion), Chee (10 yards, TD), Reilly (3 yards, 1-point conversion), Marcello (21 yards, TD), and Leonardo (32 yards, TD, 1-point conversion).
Riley Grieve (56 yards), Hannah Salles (9 yards, TD), Chee (1-yard TD), Sophia Miralles (3 yards, 1-point conversion), and Soliz (3 yards, 1-point conversion) did the job on the receiving end, while Leonardo led the Huskers with 89 yards passing.
Douglas (8 tackles, 1 for loss, interception), Marcello (4 tackles), Emma Santos (2 tackles), and Gabby Coppola (2 tackles) anchored the Huskers’ defense in Dutchess County.
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