The first official collegiate flag football game in New Jersey was played at Sprague Field at Montclair State University, and the Red Hawks earned a historic 53-6 win on Monday, March 9.
“Who’s got my back! I got your back!” was chanted by the Red Hawks as they prepared for their first flag football game of the season.
Montclair State started with possession and marched down the field, but the drive ended with an interception at the goal line on a pass thrown by freshman quarterback Haddiyah Bell. What could’ve been a disaster to start the game was quickly corrected.
When Mercy College attempted to convert an extra point, it was also intercepted on a pass thrown by Mercy quarterback Kate Lynne Conklin.
Red Hawks head coach Jim Kelly stated, “We showed some resilience right away when something bad happened in the first quarter. And obviously, we responded in a great way.”
The key storyline after the game was Montclair State’s defense. The Red Hawks recorded seven interceptions, preventing Mercy University from creating offensive opportunities. Aside from the opening turnover, the Mavericks weren’t able to keep up defensively either.
Montclair State notched seven interceptions in its first regular-season game, sparking the team after a slow offensive start. Tim David | The Montclarion
Yet, the defensive interceptions helped the Montclair State offense begin to click.
“Anytime your defense can give you interceptions and change field position, it shortens the field and makes the game a lot easier for the offense,” said Kelly.
Through this dominant performance, many players on the roster were able to get snaps during the game.
“I think that we did really well with staying together and then making use of our whole team,” said senior Genevieve Fara. “Everybody got reps today, and I think everybody balled out and did their role.”
“I think that we did really well with staying together and then making use of our whole team," said senior Genevieve Fara after Montclair State's opening win. Tim David | The Montclarion
As the Red Hawks continue their inaugural season, they remain focused on improving as a team.
“We’re staying humble. We’re staying hungry. Just because we won this game doesn’t mean that we don’t have to work as hard for the next one. We have to work even harder,” Fara said.
Looking ahead, Montclair State will travel to Eastern University in St. Davids, PA, for its next game on March 17.
