Jefferson High School’s girls’ flag football team kicked off its season with two consecutive wins on Saturday, beating rivals Three Forks and Butte before falling short in the finale.
In the first game at East Helena High’s Aug. 30 Flag Football Jamboree, the Panthers fell behind early but answered late in the first when senior quarterback Cate Barry connected with sophomore Kendall Smith for a touchdown. Barry then converted the extra point on a keeper to give Jefferson a 7-6 lead over the Three Forks’ Wolves as the first-quarter horn sounded.
In the second quarter, the Panthers’ defense set the tone. With the JHS offense twice stopped just short of the end zone, junior Sloane Otsby and senior Meredith Rieder snatched interceptions to help maintain the lead. After a scoreless third, the Panthers’ offense added insurance in the fourth when junior quarterback Alivia Logan threw a touchdown pass to fellow junior Maysa LaFromboise. The extra point was no good, but the defense held strong to close out the 13-6 victory.
