What I’m most proud of was that they really persevered and grew as football players.”

Caleb Cajthami | Highland Prep girls flag football coach

The Highland Prep Surprise girls flag football team made history by making it to the playoffs in its first year.

Despite being a new team, it ended the season second in their region and 14th in the state overall.

“It was a huge privilege to be able to coach this team in this inaugural first season,” coach Caleb Cajthaml said. “What I’m most proud of was that they really persevered and grew as football players.

Highland Prep didn’t allow a touchdown in its last five games.

“I had been pining for girls flag football since my freshman year and I feel very lucky to have gotten to play even if it was only for my senior year,” senior Addison Busher said.

Players said they hope the first year success is a good sign of things to come.

“Within a couple of months of just being together, we’ve improved drastically and the fact we were able to make it to the playoffs as a first year team was just amazing,” sophomore Madison Lawrence said.

Fellow sophomore Devynn McKnight said the program’s future is bright.

“We’ll do even better next year because we’ve built that foundation and became a family,” McKnight said.