Jacob Pitts
Contributor
In 2021, the Suwannee Bulldogs flag football team had its inaugural season. The following year, the team won its first district championship title. Now, three years and two district championships later, the team has achieved its first regional win in school history. On Wednesday, April 23, the Bulldogs entered the Class 1A Regional Quarterfinals, hosting the Santa Fe Raiders. Going up against a well-coached and highly disciplined team that had previously defeated them 6-0 a month ago, the Bulldogs knew they needed to give their all to accomplish something unprecedented. And that's exactly what they did. As the first quarter was drawing to a close, senior captain Jessica Tran was able to read an out route by Raiders star player Ranilah Smith. Tran stepped in front of the pass and returned it 30 yards to the house. After an extra point by Alaira Handy, the score stood at 7-0. That score held until the final two minutes of the game, when the Raiders managed to get in the end zone. However, their attempt to convert for the tie was thwarted by Suwannee's other captain, Tor'lanedria Ross, who broke up the pass. From there, it was just a matter of running down the clock, minimizing errors, and getting ready to celebrate this significant milestone for a team eager to make a lasting statement in the region. Head Coach Marisley Leal, now in her second year, is enthusiastic about the future and the upcoming chance for revenge against the team that halted the Bulldogs' regional hopes, the Florida High Seminoles. The regional semifinal match took place in Tallahassee on Monday, April 28. Regardless of whatever happens, the Bulldogs have done something no other team in school history can say, and it's only up from here.
