Monroe-Woodbury is making history by forming the school district's first Girls Varsity Flag Football. The Crusaders are one of 15 teams in the Section 9 to start flag football in 2023. The Crusaders will have a 16 game schedule against nine schools: Saugerties, Kingston, NFA, Middletown, Goshen, Pine Bush, Minisink, Washingtonville and Warwick. At the end of the season, Section 9 champions will play either Section 1 or Section 8 winner in a regional title game on June 10th at MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
The New York Jets donated uniforms and flag football gear to all participating schools. This year 140 high schools across the state will compete in this sport. On February 1, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) announced it will recognize high school girls flag football as a state championship sport in the spring of 2024.
Crusaders Head Coach Elaine Schellberg and Assistant Coach Kate Santoianni will lead the inaugural season. "The interest level is overwhelming! It is exciting be on the forefront of a new sport for girls," said Coach Schellberg.