Ripping flags and getting snags are what this year’s unified flag football team is all about. The team has been on the hunt for a dominating season, and coaches are just as excited as the players.
“My hopes for the season is that we win sectionals,” coach Amanda Westerfield said. “We came close last year so we would like to do that again.”
Unified sports bring together people with and without cognitive disabilities onto one team. According to Westerfield, watching students on such a diverse team play together is “always exciting.”
The team’s diverse roster includes Christian Jones, who has autism, and Kevin Dowdy, who is regarded as one of the team's strongest links on the field.
“It's fun to play for the team,” Dowdy said. “The team helps me face challenges on and off the field. My team really makes me want to help others.”
Coaches say that people often think unified sports are not competitive due to the members with disabilities. However, that is far from the truth. Unified sports give everyone a chance to be competitive on the field.
“I think my favorite part is that no one really knows what to expect when they come to one of our games, and then they see the partnership that we have and they see the competitiveness that we carry when we play, then it creates that big shock factor,” coach Dena Condra said.
With any group of people that play for the same team, there will be some conflicts on or off the field. but what is even more interesting is what the coaches believe unites the team.
“I just think that everybody wants to do good and wants to perform well, and whoever you are, no matter your disability or what you've been through, unified sports gives you a chance to do just that,” coach Carley Murphy said.
The Warriors most recently became M.I.C. champions after beating Lawrence Central on Sept. 21, bringing their season record to six wins and one loss. Next up, they will compete in their first sectional game on Sept. 30 against Carmel. If they win, they’ll play later in the day against Lawrence Central.
“We are bringing our best game against them,” Westerfield said.