Coach Jordan Lyles gives his New Castle High girls flag football team instructions on the sidelines. (Photo contributed)

By Annabelle Chipps, New Castle News

New Castle High School’s girls flag football team is here to stay, courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Lady ‘Canes finished their first season with an overall record of 6-6, making it to the first round of the playoffs.

“I am so proud and thankful for these young ladies,” coach Jordan Lyles said in a Facebook post.

“We started practicing two weeks before our first big game. What began as ‘this is gonna be rough’ turned into a team of dawgs who bought in, trusted their coaching and learned to play the game together.”

Lyles can’t wait to see where the team goes in the future. “We are building something special in little ol’ New Castle,” he said.

The Lady ‘Canes coach claimed the program is beneficial for all involved.

“Flag football is pure football. It’s extremely competitive and fast-paced. It takes the contact away, which sometimes makes or breaks kids. I enjoy being able to teach the game and it allows me to be a pillar for the youth in our community,” Lyles said.

The program also provided a unique opportunity for girls to showcase their talents, according to team captain Rhianna Boice.

“For a first-year program, we performed really well,” Boice said. Her hope is that the team will “continue to grow and advance further.”

Player Karma Cialella celebrated the team as well.

“I was proud of my success this season, I didn’t expect myself to do as well and learn the game as fast. I wouldn’t have believed I could have a good season without coach Jordan and (assistant) Coach Jake,” Cialella said.

The program operated as a club sport this year but will fall under the PIAA next spring. It was able to get off the ground with a $4,000 donation from the Steelers, which funded uniforms, equipment and more.

“They really do it all and made it effortless on our part. All we had to do was show up and play,” Lyles said of the NFL team.

“We’re excited by what the New Castle girls flag team has been able to accomplish this season,” Mike Marchinsky, senior manager of alumni relations and youth football for the Steelers, said. “The team’s ability to reach the playoffs in their first season hopefully inspires other girls in Lawrence County and throughout the region to play flag football.”

The Steelers have worked to grow the sport in western Pennsylvania to a league of 50 teams.

“It’s awesome to see the sport elevated, and we know that it will only continue to grow in the future as it becomes an officially sanctioned sport in the new season,” Marchinsky said.

Annabelle Chipps is a recent graduate of Slippery Rock University and one of 10 Pittsburgh Media Partnership summer interns.