Flag football was the newest spring sport in the state last year, and it will only grow in its second year in Section 9, but it was a difficult debut for the Newburgh Free Academy Goldbacks.

Newburgh posted a 2-9 record during their inaugural season, but their second win was a big one as they entered the open Section 9 tournament as the No. 11 seed and knocked off No. 6 Kingston to earn a playoff win.

This year’s Section 9 tournament will have a different look as the New York State Public High School Athletic Association will hold championships and has split schools into large- and small-school classifications.

They will enter their second season having lost last year’s seniors Maykayla Manso and Salma Martinez, but they will return Megan Evans, Mckayla Rafferty, Lindsay Dando, Kallie McCoy, Saraji Good, Desirae Rice, Aliyah Bullock and Jordan Dowdy.

Newcomers include Janaya Coleman, Katie Bell, Gia Mandato and Emily Mitchell.

Second-year coach Liam Henderson said the Goldbacks are talented and fast but will have to mature as a team.

It will be a challenge to get these players the football knowledge that they need to be successful in games,” Henderson said. “We are attempting to build a sustainable program for years to come.”

The Goldbacks are scheduled to open the season on April 4 against the Our Lady of Lourdes Warriors at Academy Field.