The newfound flag football team at Aliso Niguel High School easily won league on Oct. 25 when playing against Trabuco Hills at home. The game concluded with a score of 21-6 with three touchdowns and three completed points after touchdowns.
Their win against Trabuco was also celebrated as their girls senior night. For most of the girls they will be returning next year, but this year flag football has three graduating seniors: Gigi Ganje, Josie Zamora and Emme Folino.
Aliso is excited to have the first team win the league championship. However, it will be sad to see our beloved seniors go. Gigi Ganje will be continuing her athletic career in softball.
The girls finished with a record of 19-5 overall with a 79% win rate. In the league, their record was just as impressive standing at 12-2 and a 86% win rate.
This league victory is the stepping stone to Coach Baldwin’s overarching goal to make her flag football team referred to as, “one of the best programs in the country.” Winning the league as the first flag football team ever at Aliso sets the standard for the years to come within the program.
This year was especially memorable because it is the first time ever to have all eight teams in the flag football conference. The teams are normally split by region. However, all the teams competed against each other, making our girls’ win even more special and impressive.
Before every game, the girls would huddle themselves closely together and say a prayer which read, “God our Father, hear us pray as we pass and play this game. Give us strength and courage to do the best in all we do. Protect us as we play this game. That’s all we ask in God’s name. Amen.”
Both coaching staff and the players enjoyed their season and most are looking forward to continuing their career in next year’s season.
Head coach Baldwin says, “it was such a joy every single day to coach these girls because they are true professionals in how they go about their business every day on the field and in the classroom. I am very excited to continue to lead the Girls Flag Football program for many more years to come.”
Baldwin’s goals for next season are to “get better every single day, continue to build our program, win another league title and win a CIF championship!”
All are completely doable with the solid foundation flag football has created. Baldwin is also the head coach of softball at Aliso and will continue to spread her positive energy and proficient coaching skills on the softball field too.
Gigi Ganje (12), when asked upon her experience and legacy she’s leaving behind, said, “This season has been the most fun I’ve ever had playing a sport here at Aliso. I really hope that my leadership was a good example for the girls and I know that they’re going to be even better next year.”
Gigi’s legacy will be carefully cherished, as she has proven herself on the field as a positive and impactful impact leader on the younger girls looking up to her. Gigi was a large part of the program’s success ending with a whopping 28 touchdowns and a total of 172 career points in just one season.
