The Valley Central girls flag football team kicked off its inaugural season with a pair of big wins in the first week of games.

On Wednesday, April 12, the Vikings visited Washingtonville, winning their season opener 25-12. On Saturday, April 15, Valley Central won its first home game 26-6 against Goshen.

During the win over Washingtonville, quarterback Bianca Ricciuto led the way with 129 passing yards and three touchdown passes, as well as a 16-yard rushing touchdown.

Riley Schmidt brought in a 43-yard touchdown reception, while Kelly Schmidt came down with two touchdown receptions, including one for 25 yards.

“A lot of these girls know tackle football, so there’s a pretty good understanding of the things we’re asking them to do,” Valley Central coach Isaiah Wilson said of the first few weeks the team’s been together, who has 26 players on the roster.

“Some of the girls fell out of love with the other sports they were playing, but others were on the fence about what they wanted to do,” Wilson said of players deciding to try out flag football. “Some of them had tried track, some tried softball and they switched up, but we have a lot of great athletes.”

The Vikings’ defense shined in the 26-6 win over Goshen, as they came away with four interceptions. 

Grace Suchy and Michelle Zavala each completed pickoffs for VC, while Kelly Schmidt and Gianna Vass each ran their interceptions back for touchdowns.

“Even though it’s not the same rules, being able to play and actually be in the game, instead of just watching, it’s been really fun,” Suchy said of the first couple of games. “To have all my friends around, playing music at practice and focused on getting better - I’m excited.”

Ricciuto passed for 122 yards and a touchdown on Saturday with 62 of those yards going to Kelly Schmidt, who reeled in two 31-yard receptions - including one for a touchdown.

“I have our QB calling plays now,” Wilson said of Ricciuto. “She said that she wants to run it and she’s been doing pretty well. It’s good to see that they’re picking up on everything really quickly.”

“I’ve been playing football with my brothers my whole life,” Ricciuto said, “so once I heard about flag football it wasn’t really a question, I knew that was going to be my next sport.”

“I thought it was going to be next year,” Ricciuto added, who is a senior. “When I found out it was this year I was really hyped.”

VC’s other offensive touchdown came on the ground from Sarah Mann, who rushed for 32 yards in the game. Riley Schmidt had 30 receiving yards, while Giselle Johnson had 29.

Late in the second half of Saturday’s game there was a lightning delay, prompting the referees to send the players inside the school and the fans to their vehicles for about a half hour.

The players utilized that extra time by making TikTok videos.

“I’ve never coached girls before; so that part’s been new for me and it’s been fun,” Wilson said during the delay, as he watched his players dancing in the VC lobby. “The girls asked to have music at practice and now we do that. They’ve been making up some of their own drills and sometimes I’m sitting there learning from them.”

The Vikings had a scrimmage scheduled on April 17 before their next regular season contest at Middletown on April 19. The Vikings return home for a game against Minisink Valley on April 26.

While flag football is in its inaugural season statewide and there won’t be an official state championship until 2024, there is a perk looming in June for the eventual Section IX champion - a trip to MetLife Stadium.

The New York Jets and Giants will host a Regional Championship game on Saturday, June 10 at their home in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

“Our goal is to go all the way,” Suchy said. “Coach Zay (Wilson) puts it in our heads everyday at practice and when we’re downstairs in the weightroom. He really boosts our confidence and tells us we can be the team that wins it all.”