The scoreboard does not lie, and right now, it is telling the story of a winning team. Coral Gables Senior High’s girls flag football team has started off the season undefeated with a record of 4-0, a streak they hope to continue all the way to the fated state championship.
On Jan. 25, both the junior varsity and varsity team played the Cavalier’s ultimate rival, Miami High Senior High School. JV played first, at 2:30 p.m., setting the tone by grinding out a 7-0 victory. Next, the varsity team faced off the blue and gold Stingrays at 4 p.m.. The Lady Cavaliers smashed out an amazing game, ending in a 31-0 shutout. The team finished off the game with an amazing interception from cornerback, junior Dylie Torres.
“The highlight of the game for me, as the defensive coordinator, was seeing that we never let them score, on both varsity and JV,” defensive coordinator Gregory “Buddy” Howell said.
While these wins might have seemed like a breeze, in reality the team has earned their victory through their training. All the way since October, the team has been focused on training, hoping to improve conditioning, pass completion, increasing speed and boosting their endurance.
Built in the Off-Season, Coach Caroline Mohamed
Their conditioning coach, Caroline Mohamed, is a vital part in their success. The team dedicates the first of many 3o minute training blocks towards improving their cardio and high-intensity fitness. This period mostly consists of cardio and plyometric workouts, aimed towards explosiveness on the field.
She joined the Lady Cavs when her daughter, senior Luna Poulet, now one of the varsity captains, asked her to help with their conditioning so that they could play through their games on both offense and defense without getting tired. Her training is one of the key factors which weaponizes the team, allowing them to sustain their energy throughout all four quarters.
Although conditioning is not always fun, the girls are grateful to have a coach who is so hard on them, pushing them to become the best athletes they can be.
“Conditioning is very important for the team, because even with the right techniques, the girls need to condition if they want to be able to play at the same level for all four quarters of the game. When we workout we mostly focus on endurance, to improve their cardio, and plyometrics, to help with their explosiveness,” Coach Caroline Mohamed said.
The Standard: Mamba Mentality
Following their 30-minute cardio period, the team has time blocked out to work on things like blocking drills, offensive plays or running through their route tree. The team practices every day until 6 p.m., showing the dedication and prioritization the sport requires. As their head coach, Alton “Strong” Strachan, would say, the standard for their team is “mamba mentality.”
Coach Strachan is the weightlifting teacher at Gables, and in 2017 he took it upon himself to take charge of the girls’ flag football team. Throughout the past nine years, he has worked to teach the girls everything he can about football. From teaching the skill in blocking to pulling flags, he has been able to create a 2026 team worthy of the state championship.
During games, Coach Strong is always found on the sideline, ready to give a speech that will push the girls until the final whistle. Win or loss, he is always motivating the team towards “the standard,” and making sure they leave it all on the field.
Sisterhood
The varsity team has five captains, made up of one junior and four seniors. Out of all the players, varsity captain, senior Yasemin Obuz is a standout player. Playing as wide receiver on offense and safety on defense, Obuz puts her all out onto the field, not only every game, but also at practice. Her dedication and leadership to the team is one of the reasons why the girls are able to succeed.
“Sometimes, [Obuz] can be pretty hard on us, but that pressure is what pushes us at practice. Every practice [Obuz] shows up pyshically and mentally 150%, leading stretches, providing mentorship and keeping us in check for the coaches. Not having her on the team next year when she graduates leaves huge shoes to fill,” sophomore Kayleen Ducasse said.
When she started flag football back in middle school, Obuz found her place, and since then she has played, not only for Gables, but also on multiple club teams in order to improve her game. For Obuz, the intensity of the sport is balanced among the close-knit Gables team, allowing them to become successful.
“For the past four years, football has been more than a sport to me, it’s been my family. Every practice, every game, every win and loss, we go through it together. Our coach always says, ‘family over everything,’ and now I understand what that means. We’ve cried, laughed and pushed each other to be better every single day. This team isn’t just my teammates, they’re my sisters,” senior Obuz said.
So far for this season, the varsity team is 4-0 and JV is 1-0, but these wins are not the ultimate finish line. This year, the team is shooting for the stars, with the end goal of becoming state champions. When asked what their goals for the team were this season, every coach had the same three word response; “states, nothing less.”
“I really do believe we are that good, that we do have the team to be able to make it all the way to the state championship this season. I can’t wait to see what the girls can accomplish,” offensive coordinator Willie Cunningham said.
Overall, through grit and determination, the team has begun their season with an electric start. Through countless drills, exercises and practices, the girls have not just begun their winning record, but also created a family that is ready to win states.
