SK girls flag football showing dramatic improvement this season
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 7, 2026
The South Kitsap Wolves girls flag football team has gotten out to an incredibly strong start on the season, currently holding a record of 9-1 overall and 5-1 in South Puget Sound League play.
Last season, SK finished with a record of 7-6 in league play and 7-8 overall, resulting in a dramatic increase in performance and overall play so far this season. SK beat the Graham-Kapowsin Eagles 44-7 in their first game of the season Dec. 2.
“A 9-1 start is certainly the best start we’ve ever had,” SK coach Cody MacCulley said. “I mean, we’ve lost our first games the first two years, and so just getting over that hump at GK (Graham-Kapowsin) with a pretty good win and keep that rolling; it’s definitely been a success to this point.”
MacCulley noted the biggest reason behind the drastic improvement from last season to this season is the number of seniors they currently have on the roster who have been with the team for the past three years, as well as a large influx of young talent. Over 70 girls tried out for the team.
Last year, the South Kitsap School District allowed the addition of a C team, given the large amount of players on the team, even when it wasn’t an official WIAA sport. MacCulley noted that the team has received support from the Seattle Seahawks, such as paying for equipment.
SK has positioned itself at the top of a highly competitive SPSL that features teams like the Sumner Spartans and Emerald Ridge Jaguars, who are 8-1 on the season thus far.
MacCulley noted that SK is taking it one game at a time and trying not to look too far ahead toward the playoffs. While a state championship is always the goal, SK is looking to get back to the SPSL tournament in February and “make some noise to get to state.”
“I think…our team is capable of so much just every game,” SK outside linebacker Ella Sherwood said. “I’m impressed with where we’re at.”
Sherwood went on to note that the team chemistry on the team this year has been “super fun and super supportive.” Nobody on the team criticizes their teammate when they make a mistake on the field. Instead, they choose to implement the mentality of “you’ll get it next time,” exemplifying a belief in one another.
Sean Banks, the SK football head coach, implemented a requirement for the players on his team this year to go out and support the girls’ flag football team by having his players attend practices and games.
Even if the team doesn’t bring home a state title, both MacCulley and Sherwood consider the season a success, largely due to the growth the SK flag football program has seen over the past three years.
“Even though I’m a senior and I’m leaving next year, I like that our program is going to really good places,” Sherwood said.
