The Palatine Pirates flag football team made its debut last year, and while starting from scratch was tough, the program preserved. Competing against established teams with years of experience proved challenging, but this season has been a different story.

The pirates already have a staggering five wins to start the year, including dominant victories of 53-6 and 32-19. With a full season of experience under their belt, the Pirates are starting to dominate their competition while continuing to improve and make adjustments.

As a new IHSA sport, flag football comes with added pressure, especially in a team’s second season, but optimism is high. The roster has nearly doubled since last year, fueling confidence across the program.

“This season has been going great, and it’s amazing to see all the girls that have come out, new and old,” Coach Grochowski said. There’s a mix of girls with prior experience with the game, and some with none at all. The experienced players are wonderful leaders and the new players are picking it up quickly. Everyone’s constantly on their toes which, combined with our confidence, makes everyone sure of our abilities and success.”

The summer camp held in July, Palatine’s first, played a key role in the turnaround. The program used it to gauge interest, build team chemistry and sharpen skills before the season began. The season now reflects the fruits of that labor.

The saying “iron sharpens iron” continues to hold true, as coach Grochowski noted, “The new players this year have been wonderful to watch. They have brought in a competitive edge out of our other girls and have made the season even more fun,” Grochowski said.

The spirit of the team has never been higher with new additions and recent wins. Still, Grochowski emphasized the importance of growth. “We are still learning from each game and correct our mistakes to get better and better as the season goes on.”

The Pirates still have more to learn, but with varsity and junior varsity thriving, the outlook is bright.