This season the Lady Lancers will be moving into the Metro League, which is a Division II conference within the Sac Joaquin Section.

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Entering the second year of the girls varsity flag football program at Cordova High School, head coach Garrett Roth is eager to get the ball rolling (or throwing in this case) as they look to continue to establish themselves in the new sport.

With tryouts concluding this past week, Roth and his coaching staff have assembled a team of 17 players currently, with hopes of more as the school year gets going.

“Last year coming into it we started a little bit late, so we were kind of scrambling to get numbers out there. It affected our team culture a little bit as we tried to get as many people on the team as possible without any expectations that a traditional sport would put on their players. This year, since we’ve got a head start on things, we’re ready to embrace those traditional sport methods and expectations.”

Top returning players include senior tight end/safety Mashayla Carter, as well as junior wide receiver/defensive back Taliyah Johnson. Carter, who was named team captain this season, has provided quite the spark for her team during spring and summer workouts according to Roth.

“From last year to this year, her increase in positive leadership and positive reinforcement for her teammates, as well as being vocal on the field and off the field has been very impressive. Going into her senior year she’s been a great leadership force for us already. She’s ready for that captain role and we’re excited to have her there.”

Key newcomers figure to include sophomore quarterback Becca Lee who excelled as a two-sport athlete in basketball and softball as a freshman last year. Additionally, sophomore running backs Sophia Carlson and Tiah Kennedy will be relied upon to move the chains on offense.

This season the Lady Lancers will be moving into the Metro League, which is a Division II conference within the Sac Joaquin Section. After competing in the Greater Sacramento League a year ago (Division IV), Roth is looking forward to the higher level of play from their opponents.

“I think it’s going to be super-exciting and challenging for us,” he said. “I think we’re going to be pretty prepared for it for flag football just because it’s a pretty-new sport. It should be great to elevate our level of competition.”

The Lady Lancers’ first regular-season game will take place on Monday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m. inside Lancer Stadium.