Goleman girls flag football season off to a good start

Sports Thursday, March 18, 2021

Barbara Goleman Senior High School’s flag football team is enjoying their season so far after defeating district rival Miami Beach 34-0 on March 2 to improve to 2-1 on the season.

The Gators took a big bite out of Downtown Doral Charter Upper School, beating the Dolphins 67-7 to win their first game of the season.

The Gators’ only loss was to Miami Senior High School, 19-12.

The Goleman girls played their games away because the school’s track field was undergoing repairs.

Goleman will play its first home game against district foe American Senior High School on March 18.

The Gators 2020 season was cut short due to COVID-19.

They are seeking their first Class 1A district title after finishing as district runner-up in 2019 to Monsignor Edward Pace High School.

Coach Candido Fernandez said the 2019 season was his team’s best finish since its debut in 2016.

He said the Gators were ranked 27th in the state among 140 teams.

Four starting seniors and the junior quarterback are the nucleus of the team, Fernandez said.

Senior wide receiver and safety Christina “Kiki” Gonzalez leads the team with four receiving touchdowns this season, followed by senior wide receiver and cornerback Natalie Diaz with two touchdowns.

Senior running back and linebacker Lillian Damas also scored two touchdowns and senior running back Lucia Gimenez scored one touchdown.

Junior quarterback Emily Fernandez is also holding
her own, with seven touchdown passes and four running touchdowns.

--David L. Snelling