Head varsity flag football coach Cherrelle Pass holds a football during the 2023 Fall Media Day in the Competition Gym on Oct. 12. Pass felt that the principles of standing for what she believed in she brought to coaching were very important for getting flag football to the playoffs. “Have a foundation of what you want your expectations to be, your non-negotiables first. The things that you feel will excel your program on and off the field or wherever they play it. Simply don’t take whatever and tolerate whatever you are. Stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.” Photo by Aza Khan
On Nov. 7, the varsity flag football team made state playoffs, finishing the season with an overall winning record of 10-5.
For the first time since their inaugural season in 2022-23, the varsity flag football team has made the Georgia High School Association Division 1 playoffs.
After beating Athens Academy and Oconee County High School on Nov. 7 with scores of 7-6 and 37-6 respectively, the team currently holds a winning record of 10-5. The playoffs will be held in early December, with the Gladiators facing off against Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School first on Dec. 5.
In the 2022-23 season, the varsity flag football team placed fifth out of nine teams in the Area 6, narrowly missing playoffs by one position. According to head varsity flag football coach Cherrelle Pass, last year’s performance set a goal to become state champions for the team this year.
“I just know the next goal is to remind the girls of the competition. You’ll be state champs after winning five games – all that it takes is five games,” Pass said.
Their latest game on Nov. 14 against Morgan County High School ended 39-0, giving the team momentum heading into the playoffs.
“It’s a little nerve-racking because I want to do well and the team wants to do well, but I think everyone’s just super excited for the opportunity,” varsity flag football left rusher and sophomore Isabella Nelson said. “No matter how it goes, Coach Pass always says ‘When we’re losing, we’re not just losing: we’re learning,’ so I think it’s gonna be fun (and) I’m excited to compete.”
“It’s a little nerve-racking because I want to do well and the team wants to do well, but I think everyone’s just super excited for the opportunity. No matter how it goes, Coach Pass always says ‘When we’re losing, we’re not just losing: we’re learning,’ so I think it’s gonna be fun (and) I’m excited to compete.”
— Isabella Nelson,
Varsity flag football left rusher and sophomore
According to Pass, the whole team is excited to compete in the first round of GHSA playoffs against MHJHS.
“I wouldn’t want to say I’m nervous, I’m more anxious, just because we only have to win five games and we can be state champions,” Pass said. “It’s the fact that we got (to playoffs) that (shows) we can continue to make a mark on CCHS by just taking it game by game.”
Similarly to Pass, Associate Athletic Director Christopher Aiken wants to see the team compete in the playoffs.
“Coach Pass has worked extremely hard, both in the season and in the offseason with workouts, practice plans and effective coaching methods. You’re thrilled to see all her hard work pay off with this postseason,” Aiken said. “(Making playoffs) is worth all the hard work that she put in and she’s deserving of this outcome.”
