The 2026 season has been about much more than wins and losses for the CSCS Girls Flag Football team. It has been a season of growth, resilience, relationships and a group of young women continuing to help build a program that is quickly establishing its place within CSCS Athletics.
The Lions opened the season with a 12 to 0 victory over Skyview before stepping onto one of the biggest stages of their young program at the Pikes Peak Kickoff Classic at Weidner Field. The opportunity put CSCS flag football in the spotlight and gave the Lions a chance to compete in front of the Colorado Springs community.
From there, CSCS continued to grow.
The Lions responded to their loss against Fountain Fort Carson with a dominant 44 to 0 victory over Bruce Randolph. Quarterback Hayley Helwege threw for 175 yards and three touchdowns in the win. CSCS followed that performance with victories over Golden, Sierra and Hinkley as the team continued to find its identity on both sides of the ball.
More recently, the Lions have put together another strong stretch. Wins over Northridge, Pine Ridge and Palmer gave CSCS three consecutive victories and moved the Lions to 8 and 4 following Saturday’s 20 to 12 win over Palmer.
But Saturday represented something even more important than another victory.
It was Senior Night.
For five Lions, Hayley Helwege, Julia Sherbondy, Sharon Krein, Rylee Gallant and Tashyla Johnson, the night provided an opportunity to recognize the young women who have helped shape this program and the relationships that have made their time in a CSCS uniform meaningful.
Hayley Helwege | #10
For Hayley Helwege, flag football began because the sport was something new. In only her second year playing, she has grown into the Lions’ quarterback and one of the team’s captains.
Earlier this season, Helwege represented CSCS alongside fellow captains Julia Sherbondy and Anna Glojek at the Pikes Peak Kickoff Classic press conference. Ahead of the game at Weidner Field, she spoke about encouraging the younger players on a roster featuring several freshmen and helping them turn nervousness into excitement.
That leadership has carried onto the field, but when Hayley reflects on her time with CSCS Flag Football, it is not the biggest games or individual performances that stand out most.
She is most grateful for the people.
“I am SO grateful for the teammates and coaches I have played alongside. I love these girls with my whole heart and will forever miss CSCS Flag Football.”
Her advice to the younger Lions captures something every athlete eventually learns.
“Don’t put so much pressure on the big things. The things you will end up remembering will be from all the tiny moments!”
Hayley also thanked her parents, Kris and Mike Helwege, for years of encouragement, drives to practice, perspective and confidence. Her favorite passage is Isaiah 30:21, a reminder to listen for God’s direction and walk in the way He calls us to go.
Julia Sherbondy | #7
Julia Sherbondy has been another important senior leader for the Lions.
A wide receiver and linebacker, Julia entered the season as one of CSCS’s captains and has contributed on both sides of the football. Through the earlier portion of the season, she emerged as one of the team’s statistical leaders, including leading CSCS in receiving yards per game and flag pulls per game in MaxPreps’ September statistics.
More important than the numbers has been the leadership Julia has provided as one of the experienced players on a young roster. With numerous freshmen joining the program this season, the Lions have relied on their upperclassmen to establish expectations, encourage younger teammates and demonstrate what it means to compete together.
Julia’s individual Senior Night questionnaire was not included in the responses provided for this article, so we will let her leadership and contributions to this team speak for themselves.
Thank you, Julia, for what you have invested in CSCS Flag Football and in the teammates who will carry the program forward.
Sharon Krein | #5
For Sharon Krein, one word comes through clearly when she talks about her experience: team.
Sharon has made an impact defensively throughout the season. Earlier this year, she emerged among the Lions’ defensive leaders, including leading the team in sacks and flag pulls for loss in MaxPreps’ September statistics.
But when asked what she was most grateful for, Sharon did not point to a statistic.
“I’m really grateful for the team and the way they support each other.”
Her advice to the underclassmen is equally simple and meaningful: “Don’t be afraid to try new things!”
Sharon thanked her parents, Mark and Becky Krein, for supporting her throughout the season, attending her games and even spending weekends throwing the football with her.
Her favorite Scripture, Romans 8:37 to 39, points to the assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Rylee Gallant | #11
Ask Rylee Gallant what she will remember about playing flag football and her answer gets right to the heart of what makes a team special.
She is most grateful for “all the bonds that I made with my teammates.”
Those relationships are often the part of high school athletics that lasts the longest. Practices end. Seasons finish. Scores eventually become harder to remember. But the friendships built through the work, challenges, celebrations and everyday moments together can remain long after the final game.
Rylee also thanked her parents, Mandy and Brian Gallant, “for always showing up for me and being there through all my ups and downs.”
Her favorite verse is Psalm 46:5: “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”
It is a fitting verse for a senior finishing one chapter and preparing to begin another.
Tashyla Johnson | #9
Tashyla Johnson’s Senior Night reflection speaks to perseverance.
She thanked her parents, Jessamy and Jeff Johnson, for helping her return to the field through injuries and for remaining her biggest supporters through all of it.
That perseverance also comes through in the message she wanted to leave with the players behind her.
“Never say never, put in the work and the effort to be great and you will even if it’s not in the way you expected.”
But Tashyla’s message goes beyond football.
She challenged her younger teammates to remember who they represent when they compete and to “show them what the love of God is as you play this game because overall you play for Him.”
Tashyla said she is grateful for the support she has received, the work her coaches have invested in helping her become a better player and the family she has gained through the sport.
Her favorite passage, Jeremiah 29:11, points toward the hope and future God has prepared ahead.
More Than a Season
There is still football left to play, but Senior Night gives us an opportunity to recognize what these five young women have already contributed.
Hayley, Julia, Sharon, Rylee and Tashyla have competed during an important chapter in the growth of girls flag football at CSCS. They have played on bigger stages, welcomed younger athletes into the program, fought through adversity, celebrated victories and helped establish what it looks like to be a Lion in a sport that is still writing its history at our school.
Their responses also reveal something that cannot be measured on a scoreboard.
They talk about teammates. Coaches. Parents. Tiny moments. Perseverance. Faith. Family.
That is the legacy of high school athletics at its best.
To our five seniors, thank you for the way you have competed, encouraged your teammates and invested in this program. As the season continues, we are grateful for every opportunity we have left to watch you take the field together.
Once a Lion, always a Lion.