Addie Morgan and her Webster Schroeder teammates have not lost a high school flag football game in more than a month.
And for the Warriors, May 28, the day of the Section V Class B championship at Monroe Community College, could not have arrived fast enough.
“Before the game, there was a lot of anxious energy,” Morgan said.
But by the time the Warriors walked off the school bus to face a Greece Arcadia team that was undefeated heading into the game, Morgan and her teammates decided that “we got this.”
The Warriors captured Webster Schroeder’s first Section V flag football championship, as they defeated No. 1 seed Greece Arcadia, 41-26.
“I’m unbelievably proud of my team,” Morgan said.
The Warriors (13-1) had a 20-point lead at halftime, enough of a cushion to absorb a rally by the Titans (13-1) with standout quarterback and defensive player Aimee Turner. Webster Schroeder’s winning streak is at 11 games, including four in the sectional tournament as the No. 2 seed.
Player of the game
Emma Rascoe, Webster Schroeder: No matter what type of football is played, there is a strong chance these days that a quarterback is the star of the game.
Rascoe, a junior who missed most of last season with a knee injury, threw four touchdown passes versus one interception while completing 18 of 23 attempts for 175 yards. The left-hander who wears No. 13, also gained 92 rushing yards on 12 carries.
“The interception is my fault,” Schroeder coach Ian Insley said, not long after his praise for how “smart” Rascoe is with the football. “A little greedy, I told her to throw the pass.”
Play of the game
The Warriors were ahead 13-0 when Rascoe intercepted a pass and returned it about 20 yards for a touchdown with 10:03 remaining in the first half.
By the numbers
2,000-plus – Passing yards this season for Emma Rascoe, according to Schroeder coach Ian Insley, who also said she has thrown at least 40 touchdown passes versus 10 interceptions.
4 – Warriors who caught a pass for a touchdown: Nina Amico, Addie Morgan, Brynn Zoltoski and center McKenzie Browne.
9 – Number of receptions or catches for Schroeder slot receiver Nina Amico, a freshman who finished with a touchdown and 85 yards.
3 – Touchdown passes thrown by Arcadia quarterback Aimee Turner, a senior.
12 – Flag pulls by Webster Schroeder linebacker Jillian Pagano.
6 – Flag pulls for Warriors defensive linemen Reis Arnold and Rascoe. Maya Pazcuzzi, a cornerback or defensive back, and Morgan made five pulls.
4/7 – April 7, the date of Webster Schroeder’s only loss this season, 19-14, to town “rival” Webster Thomas.
They said it
“I’m only a freshman. I come in, work hard everyday, give everything that I got. I got to make the first one count, leave an impact,” – Schroeder receiver Nina Amico.
“At first it’s hard. We work hard in practice, and we got there. We’re sharp,” – Amico on the Schroeder offense.
“We have the two best players (Rascoe and Morgan). She’s top three,” Schroeder coach Ian Insley on Arcadia quarterback Aimee Turner.
“Growing up, I was a tomboy, I was always throwing the ball. In the summer, we had these open gyms, so I would go there and throw. We just rep, rep and rep,” Schroeder quarterback Emma Rascoe on how the Warriors offense added precision.
“It comes down to, you have to practice how you play. We practice like a champion, apparently,” – Schroeder senior Addie Morgan.
What’s next
The Webster Schroeder Warriors are in the state tournament, where the Section V champions play the Section VI or Buffalo region champion on May 31, 4 p.m. at High Mark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Here is how the Section V final unfolded:
Webster Schroeder 6, Greece Arcadia 0
Warriors strike on first possession, but fail to tack on after touchdown conversion. Emma Rascoe 19-yard pass to Brynn Zoltoski.
Webster Schroeder 13, Greece Arcadia 0
1st half – 17:32 remaining
Schroeder Warriors are in control after a second touchdown pass by Emma Rascoe, this one to Addison Morgan. Nina Amico catches the conversion pass in the end zone.
Webster Schroeder 20, Greece Arcadia 0
1st half – 10:03 remaining
Touchdown, Webster Schroeder Warriors. Emma Rascoe snatches an Arcadia pass, returns interception about 20 yards for a touchdown. Warriors add conversion pass.
Webster Schroeder 20, Greece Arcadia 7
1st half – 4:41 remaining
Greece Arcadia Titans make it to the end zone. Aimee Turner 3-yard touchdown pass to Kaitlyn Spring.
Webster Schroeder 27, Greece Arcadia 7
1st half – 41.6 seconds remaining
Schroeder Warriors beat the clock to get seven more points before halftime. Nina Amico touchdown reception and one-point conversion.
Webster Schroeder 34, Greece Arcadia 7
2nd half – 20:12 remaining
Another defensive touchdown for the Webster Schroeder Warriors. Addison Morgan returns an interception more than 50 yards to the end zone. Emma Rascoe then completes a pass to McKenzie Browne for a one-point conversion.
Webster Schroeder 34, Greece Arcadia 14
2nd half – 16:47 remaining
Arcadia Titans need a touchdown and get one, on a run by Samantha Mau. Aimee Turner runs in one-point conversion attempt.
Webster Schroeder 34, Greece Arcadia 14
2nd half
A window to a rally by Greece Arcadia opens. Webster Schroeder punts.
Webster Schroeder 34, Greece Arcadia 14
2nd half- 12:58 remaining
Greece Arcadia turns the ball over on downs, but regains possession, an interception by Aimee Turner.
Webster Schroeder 34, Greece Arcadia 20
2nd half – 7:13 remaining
This time the Arcadia Titans reach the end zone, Aimee Turner tosses one-yard pass to Calleigh Tracz. The conversion pass attempt was incomplete.
Webster Schroeder 41, Greece Arcadia 20
2nd half – 2:06 remaining
The Warriors just about drain the chances of a comeback by Greece Arcadia, by going on a five-minute scoring drive. McKenzie Browne catches the 10-yard touchdown pass from Emma Rascoe.
Webster Schroeder 41, Greece Arcadia 26
2nd half – 49.8 seconds remaining
Greece Arcadia scores, quarterback Aimee Turner and Kaitlyn Springs connect on a 20-yard pass play for a touchdown.
Webster Schroeder 41, Greece Arcadia 26
Final
McKenzie Browne, Webster Schroeder’s center, and quarterback Emma Rascoe trade places. Rascoe snaps the ball to Browne, who kneels to get the clock started and send the Warriors to the championship trophy presentation and celebration.
What to know about Webster Schroeder flag football
What to know about Greece Arcadia flag football
Greece Arcadia flag football photos
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Webster Schroeder takes down Greece Arcadia for flag football title: How the game unfolded
Reporting by James Johnson, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
