RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - With the Cordova Lady Lancers beginning their season this week, the excitement surrounding the program is palpable. 

Under the guidance of second-year Head Coach Kim Bradley, there is a tangible optimism that the team is getting ready to take a huge step forward. Bradley, an experienced basketball coach who had never coached flag football before last season, feels very confident in both the abilities of her team and herself after going through some growing pains last fall. During a recent jamboree event prior to the start of the season with multiple other area teams, the Lady Lancers caught the eye of opposing teams and coaches who were able to witness Cordova’s improvement firsthand. 

“The feedback we got is that we look extremely different and look very good,” Bradley said. 

The improvement is perhaps most apparent on the defensive side of the ball, with the Lady Lancers set to deploy a strong group. Senior cornerbacks Meloney Yang and Tiffany Villanueva, along with senior linebacker Keani Jones and junior safety Elyana Stone figure to play prominent roles. 

Offensively, the team is welcoming back senior signal caller Becca Lee, who played quarterback for the team two seasons ago prior to not lacing up the cleats last fall. Bradley also mentioned the team may mix it up at quarterback this year with others on the roster in an attempt to get their best playmakers on the field at different times.

Additionally, senior wide receiver/running back Sophia Carlson rejoins the group after sitting out last season, along with senior wide receiver/running back Tiah Kennedy as primary weapons in the passing game. Sophomore wide receiver Erica Banks was also a name Bradley mentioned as a player to watch who has stepped up as a vocal leader in her second year on the team. 

Senior quarterback Becca Lee throws a pass at a recent practice. Photo by Rick Sloan

At the end of last season, Bradley was pleased with the number of young players on the team who appeared to be buying in to what they are trying to build within the program. That has carried over into preparations for the upcoming year, with the whole team taking ownership in practice as the group looks to improve. 

“It will be a big part of our success,” Bradley said. “We spend a lot of our time doing ‘chalk talk’ where the girls are breaking down the plays. They are asking questions, they’re making their own adjustments at times with certain things that they see. I’m so excited to see what they are going to do. They are phenomenal.”

Sophomore Jazzmae Jasper goes up for the ball. Photo by Rick Sloan

When asked about big-picture goals for the season, Bradley wanted to make sure people know the mindset her team has as they took the field this week for their first games on their schedule.

“Obviously we want to make playoffs and just take things one game at a time, but we want to represent Cordova and the community. We want to show that the flag football team is here,” Bradley said.

The Lady Lancers opened their season this week with away games at Franklin High School on Tuesday, Aug. 18 and at Natomas High School on Wednesday, Aug. 19. Results were not available at press time.