For the second straight spring, there will be flag football in Sto-Rox. The Girls Flag Football Team returns with Head Coach Lauren Ferragonio. The team’s only two home games take place this Sunday, at 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. at Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School.
“I am very excited for year two, and to have a lot of returning players,” said Ferragonio, who is also a security guard at the Jr./Sr. High School. “It's great seeing the growth of the ones who played last year, and how they are able to mentor the new players. I personally feel like I've also grown as a coach between last season and this season.”
The team is part of an initiative led in part by the Pittsburgh Steelers to make flag football a high school sport sanctioned by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, or PIAA.
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Ferragonio, who won two national championships with the Pittsburgh Passion women’s football team, found out about the initiative last year from former Passion teammate Sharon Vasquez. She helped Ferragonio get in touch with the right people, and now Sto-Rox is catching the wave of flag football’s popularity and purpose.
“(Flag Football) is going to be in the 2028 Olympics and a ton of colleges are forming teams and offering scholarships,” explained Ferragonio. “Football is the ultimate team sport and teaches so many very important life lessons: discipline, teamwork, leadership, accountability, and so many other valuable things.”
Ferragonio grew up playing softball and soccer, but it was the mother of a teammate who convinced her to play for the Passion.
“All throughout my childhood she would tell me that as soon as I turned 18 that she was bringing me on to play for the Passion because I was aggressive and fearless in the sports I played,” said Ferragonio.
”The rest is history. I've played for 11 years and counting…it gave me purpose, boosted my self esteem, gave me a sense of community, a sisterhood full of role models, and so many amazing life experiences traveling to different places.”
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Ferragonio is extending that sisterhood into her newfound coaching career.
“Now that I am coaching, it gives me the opportunity to show our students that you can do absolutely anything that you put your mind to, regardless of what the status quo is.”
The 2024 Sto-Rox Girls Flag Football Team with Ferragonio at the center of the back row.
Ferragonio also stressed the importance of building self-esteem and community as pillars of this program.
“The (Sto-Rox) girls learn so many valuable skills that only sports can teach you,” she said. “I think sports are so important for youth to be a part of, regardless of their skill level, because of how important the life lessons they learn are.”
The lessons being taught on and off the field are translating into action within the walls of Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School. More than 30 girls - in grades 9-12 alone - have shown interest in the team.
“I have a ton of middle schoolers interested, and unfortunately last year there was no opportunity for them,” said Ferragonio. “But his year the Little Vikings youth program is now offering girls flag football for ages 5-14, which is amazing!
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As for the high school team, Ferragonio is looking for long-term success, not just for the program, but for the girls who are getting it off the ground.
“I want them to become more confident, and realize that what they are doing is blazing the trail for so many young girls out there,” she said. “My biggest hope is that this can be used as a vehicle to further their education in college with scholarships in flag football.”
Ferragonio also has a message for the Sto-Rox School District community, especially ahead of this Sunday’s home games.
“Whether it be your own child, your student, or kids in your community, show up and show your support,” she said. “Help grow the sport and give the kids a sense of pride in themselves and their community.”