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A glance at the Edgewood girls flag football program probably would not endear itself to many coaches.
The roster is small, the team is inexperienced and the players practice only once or twice a week since most of the roster are busy with softball, track or another sport that is prioritized higher than flag football.
Coach Olajuwon Cooper, however, says a “winning mentality” can cover up a lot.
In their second year, the Warriors, once again, had a successful season this spring.
Led by county player of the year, receiver-defensive back, Carly Kray, Edgewood went 8-2, narrowly missing the playoffs.
Quarterback Annie Mae Johnston, wide receiver Haylee Rhodes, center Natalie Ianetta, linebacker Emmalyn Warner and defensive back Natalie Stump also played an integral part in the team’s success.
But they still put together a solid spring which included a six-game winning streak, including an impressive 26-19 double-overtime win over Berkshire, which was unbeaten at the time.
For his team’s efforts, Cooper has been named Ashtabula County Coach of the Year, sharing the honor with Conneaut’s Tatum Pew, as voted on by the county coaches.
Cooper may not have had everything a coach desires in commitment to solely football from his players, but their willingness to put in the work for success is was what made the difference.
“Our success was predicated upon the girls’ sheer will to win and put in the necessary work,” the coach said. “Whether it be after softball or track practice, the girls always wanted to practice. The other caveat that’s huge for us is that both our softball and track teams are successful. So, the girls bring a winning mentality to flag football and expect to do well.”
The Warriors started the season at 2-2, before upending the Badgers.
Although they missed out on a chance to participate in the state tournament, the Warriors dominated the final five weeks of the season, outscoring their opponents 180-65 in the process.
Football is a game that Cooper has been involved with just about all of his life, from his days on the Ashtabula youth fields, to his time under center at Lakeside High School and then to Kent State and Lake Erie College before going into coaching.
Being selected girls flag football co-coach of the year was probably not something he would have envisioned, but Cooper calls the reward a great honor.
He said the future is even brighter not only for Edgewood, but the sport overall.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association recently announced flag football will be fully recognized for the 2026-27 school year, and become the OHSAA’s 29th varsity sport next spring.
“I could have never imagined earning such a great honor,” Cooper said. “This award is a reflection of the hard work of our girls, my assistant Tyler Welton, and our great administration for allowing us to have a program. Expectations are high for our program and it’s always a blessing to be a part of a program that has a standard of excellence. God is good.”
Continue reading...
The roster is small, the team is inexperienced and the players practice only once or twice a week since most of the roster are busy with softball, track or another sport that is prioritized higher than flag football.
Coach Olajuwon Cooper, however, says a “winning mentality” can cover up a lot.
In their second year, the Warriors, once again, had a successful season this spring.
Led by county player of the year, receiver-defensive back, Carly Kray, Edgewood went 8-2, narrowly missing the playoffs.
Quarterback Annie Mae Johnston, wide receiver Haylee Rhodes, center Natalie Ianetta, linebacker Emmalyn Warner and defensive back Natalie Stump also played an integral part in the team’s success.
But they still put together a solid spring which included a six-game winning streak, including an impressive 26-19 double-overtime win over Berkshire, which was unbeaten at the time.
For his team’s efforts, Cooper has been named Ashtabula County Coach of the Year, sharing the honor with Conneaut’s Tatum Pew, as voted on by the county coaches.
Cooper may not have had everything a coach desires in commitment to solely football from his players, but their willingness to put in the work for success is was what made the difference.
“Our success was predicated upon the girls’ sheer will to win and put in the necessary work,” the coach said. “Whether it be after softball or track practice, the girls always wanted to practice. The other caveat that’s huge for us is that both our softball and track teams are successful. So, the girls bring a winning mentality to flag football and expect to do well.”
The Warriors started the season at 2-2, before upending the Badgers.
Although they missed out on a chance to participate in the state tournament, the Warriors dominated the final five weeks of the season, outscoring their opponents 180-65 in the process.
Football is a game that Cooper has been involved with just about all of his life, from his days on the Ashtabula youth fields, to his time under center at Lakeside High School and then to Kent State and Lake Erie College before going into coaching.
Being selected girls flag football co-coach of the year was probably not something he would have envisioned, but Cooper calls the reward a great honor.
He said the future is even brighter not only for Edgewood, but the sport overall.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association recently announced flag football will be fully recognized for the 2026-27 school year, and become the OHSAA’s 29th varsity sport next spring.
“I could have never imagined earning such a great honor,” Cooper said. “This award is a reflection of the hard work of our girls, my assistant Tyler Welton, and our great administration for allowing us to have a program. Expectations are high for our program and it’s always a blessing to be a part of a program that has a standard of excellence. God is good.”
Continue reading...
