Aaya McLyn of Long Beach Poly looks to pass during a flag football game against Lakewood in Lakewood on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
LAKEWOOD — After hauling in four key interceptions in her last two games for the Long Beach Poly flag football team, senior Elle Dennison might have a new favorite sport.
“I love it. I think I like it better than track but track is still my main sport. Don’t tell my coaches I said that,” said Denison with a smile on her face.
“It’s a joy to coach these girls,” said Poly flag football coach Rob Shock. “I’m having so much fun, the camaraderie together, the unity they have, it’s just a different kind of feeling and it’s special.”
Denison said it felt great to make big plays on defense in her school’s 7-on-7 games against Jordan and Lakewood.
“Honestly, it felt really good,” said Denision. “I surprised myself because usually that doesn’t happen. My (previous) game I dropped interceptions and that really put me in my head, but (Tuesday) was lock in and get stuff done.”
Denison’s three interceptions in the first half led the Jackrabbits to a 21-0 win against rival Jordan at Lakewood High Tuesday afternoon.
Poly (5-1, 2-0) will play at Wilson on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
“They’re making history. They’re setting the tone for the future,” said Shock.
“All respect to our defense,” said Shock, whose assistant coach and defensive coordinator is Poly football coach Stephen Barbee. “Our defense set the tone in both games… Obviously you can see what (Barbee’s) tutelage has done for those girls.”
Junior quarterback Aaya McLyn threw three touchdown passes for Poly, two of them going to sophomore receiver Janelle Morris, against Lakewood.
An interception by junior Leah Salas sealed Poly’s first win.
“That one was totally unintentional,” Denison said of her final interception of the day. “I didn’t think I was going to catch that one because it bounced off someone else’s hand and I just happened to be right there.”
“We worked on that at practice, breaking to the ball,” said Shock.
Jordan’s defense is something to build upon
Jordan (4-3) was led by senior quarterback Katelyn Garcia and senior receiver Asia Edwards in its rivalry game Tuesday against Poly.
Edwards hauled in the first of three interceptions by Jordan’s defenders.
The Panthers will host Millikan on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
Meanwhile, Jordan coach AJ Luke said it takes commitment to build a flag football program from the ground up with a roster comprised of soccer, basketball, and softball athletes.
“First it takes commitment from the players because they’re learning a whole new concept, a whole new sport,” said Luke. “So when you get that commitment, them coming to practice every day and eager to learn and then showing them a lot of videos of professional players running routes. They’ve caught on and they love it.”
Lakewood coach Leilani Utupo wants to inspire other women to coach girls flag football
Lakewood flag football coach Leilani Utupo is in a unique position to be a role model for young girls.
“For football in general, I am also the odd man out,” said Utupo. “Having females encourage the sport and love the sport is really just a great thing that I’m looking forward to for generations to come.”
“I think it’s a humbling experience,” said Utupo. “I think it’s a good opportunity to be out on the field and make a presence for females to go and chase their dreams. I’ve always loved the sport since I was a little kid. I had a father as a coach. My brother played… I just hoped more women become inspired to chase their dream and do what’s different.”
After 10 games, her team is 6-4 overall. However, they’ve suffered back-to-back losses to Poly, most recently 19-0 on Tuesday.
“We’re still learning a lot about football, moving the ball on offense, rallying to the ball (on defense). There’s a lot going on but we’re loving what’s going on out there,” said Utupo, who is married to the school’s football head coach, Justin Utupo.
Despite an 0-2 start to Moore League play, Utupo said her players are making history.
“They should be proud of themselves,” said Utupo. “There are things to clean up on both offense and defense, sportsmanship. We’re working on it, we’re working through it. I think it’s a great opportunity. The sport is growing so it’s good to have them out here working. They’re learning to love the sport a little more and I think with the love of the game, they’ll continue to thrive.”
Travis Burnett
A pioneer in the flag football community, Travis helped co-found the Flag Football World Championship Tour, FlagSpin and USA Flag. Featuring 15+ years of content creation for the sport of flag football, creating and managing the largest flag football tournaments on the planet, coaching experience at the youth and adult level as well as an active player with National and World Championship level experience.
