A Historic First Season
The Shoreham‑Wading River girls' varsity flag football team, in only its second year of competition, finished the regular season with an 8‑4 record in Division II and secured the No. 2 seed for the Section XI Class C playoffs. A 48‑12 victory over Riverhead Charter in the semifinals propelled the squad into the Suffolk County Class C championship game, where they will meet Kings Park on May 27.
Coaching and Team Dynamics
Head coach Bob DeSilva praised the team's rapid assimilation of football terminology and strategic concepts, noting that many players arrived with a strong soccer pedigree that translated into agility and field awareness. The coaching staff emphasized teamwork, allowing the group to build chemistry despite the sport's novelty for most participants.
Star Players Making Their Mark
Shealyn Varbero emerged as a dual‑threat weapon, throwing four touchdown passes in the semifinal and finishing the season with 36 touchdowns overall. Her 1,315 passing yards and 866 rushing yards place her fifth in Suffolk County. Mia Mangano complemented the attack with two receiving scores in the same game, bringing her season totals to eight touchdowns, 51 receptions and 691 yards, ranking her among the top ten receivers in the county.
Rivalry Renewed in the Final
Kings Park advanced to the title match by pulling off an upset over top‑seeded John Glenn, setting up a rematch that carries history from previous soccer and basketball encounters between the two schools. The impending showdown adds a layer of familiarity and competition that could influence the game's intensity.
The championship will be played at Patchogue‑Medford High School at 3 p.m. on May 27, offering the team a chance to cap a breakthrough season with a county title.