The sun shone over the municipal stadium in Cortland on June 7, 2026 as the Half Hollow Hills Eagles faced off against the Shaker Blue Devils in the NYSPHSAA Class A flag football final, a match that would become a landmark moment for the growing sport in New York.
A Moment of Triumph in Cortland
From the opening drive, Samantha Hovanec of Half Hollow Hills darted past a flag pull from Shaker’s Caitlin McKinney, while Emma Gould pressured Shaker’s Eleanor Keough as she threw, forcing an incomplete pass that shifted momentum.
Zoe Franks answered with a series of explosive runs, culminating in a spectacular touchdown that sent the crowd into a roar, while Marisa Dominic and Laila D'Haiti added crucial defensive stops that kept Shaker at bay.
The celebration was immediate; Harlow Rivera embraced teammate Chloe Merchant on the field, and Emma Wilck leapt into the arms of Victoria Valdes after the final whistle, their smiles reflecting weeks of hard work and community pride.
Coach Michael Lupa, who had guided the Eagles through a demanding season, was seen wiping tears of joy as the team gathered for a group photo, a snapshot that will be shared across local media outlets.
The victory was not just a personal triumph but also a milestone for the NYSPHSAA, which has been championing flag football as an emerging varsity sport, and the organization’s president praised the athletes for raising the profile of the game.
Fans flooded the stands, chanting the names of their heroes — Samantha Heyman, Emma Gould, and Drew Kesselman — while the city’s mayor declared a day of celebration for the champions, underscoring the cultural impact of the sport.
As the Eagles lifted the championship plaque, the scene was captured in a series of images that showed the team’s unity, from the jubilant faces of Emma Gould and Zoe Franks to the quiet determination of Myah Hovey, who had been a steady presence throughout the season.