When the St. Martin High School Girls Flag Football Team set out to win a championship this year, they started from scratch.
“We were asking 23 young ladies to not only learn about a game they’d never played before,” says head coach Charlie Pavlus, “but along with learning about the game, they had to learn the skills and be able to apply them in a game in just one month’s time.”
As it turned out, the team was up to the challenge, defeating George County to become the 2025 girls’ flag football state champions — the first team in Mississippi to ever hold the title. Throughout the season, they outscored their opponents 167–20, finishing with a record of 7–1.
“Our team has improved so much since the beginning of the season, all the way from learning positions, routes or how to even throw a football the right way to winning a state championship,” says co-captain Lexi Radich. “These girls have put in so much work, and I couldn’t be more proud of our team and this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment!”
FORMING A SISTERHOOD
When she heard about the team, Radich took an interest because it sounded like something new and fun to try. What she discovered was a unique bond with her teammates and an opportunity to grow as a leader.
“We’re like sisters, and that is why we win games,” Radich says. “We trust each other, (and) we’re always here for each other. We hang out outside of practice, and that’s something truly special about our team.”
Co-captain Yvette Nathan always wanted to play football, so she was excited when Pavlus invited her to participate.
“In the beginning, we had our ups and downs, and we struggled a little, but we struggled together, grew together and learned together,” says Nathan, who has received a full scholarship offer from Bishop State Community College, as have teammates Kylah Jenkins and Jalyn Nguyen. “We learned what it’s like to be a team and have a sisterhood.”
At first, Pavlus says, the team focused on fundamentals — starting with concepts that would later become plays. Despite juggling busy schedules, he adds, the girls were willing to embrace the unknown and improved rapidly.
“Their ability to split time between track, gymnastics, travel softball, travel soccer, jobs, etc., and flag football was beyond impressive,” Pavlus says. “Their plates were overflowing, yet they still had the ability to take in all the info that was coming at them, learn the skills needed to succeed and perform at the highest level possible to help us bring home a state championship.”
ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL
To earn their title, the girls had to win three games in a row — the last being against the George County Rebels, who had defeated their first two opponents 44-0. After a strong offensive showing early on by the Yellow Jackets, Bri Sanders sealed the win with a 50-yard touchdown run.
Next, the team is headed to Universal Studios and Disney World this month to celebrate their victory. Once school resumes in the fall, Pavlus says, the process will start over with tryouts, a daily grind and an effort to instill the same determination and toughness that defined this exceptional team.
“The thing that I’m most proud of, and the thing that I’m most impressed with, is our growth from day 1 to day 82,” Pavlus says. “We went from a collection of almost every sport possible to one team with one goal, one journey, new friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.”