The CSCS Girls Flag Football team closed its 2026 season on Saturday, October 17, with a hard-fought 19–13 loss to Steamboat Springs in the CHSAA Class 4A State Playoffs. Senior quarterback Hayley Helwege threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns, while senior Julia Sherbondy contributed 84 receiving yards and a touchdown.
While the Lions had hoped to advance further, Saturday’s result does little to diminish what this team accomplished.
Just one year ago, CSCS finished 2–9. This season, the Lions finished 10–5 and earned a place in the state playoffs.
Few could have anticipated the remarkable turnaround this team was about to deliver.
A Team No One Saw Coming
After a challenging 2025 season, the Lions returned determined to change the direction of their program. Through hard work, strong leadership, and a commitment to improving together, they did exactly that.
The Lions found their stride as the season progressed, winning five consecutive games heading into the postseason. Their late-season performances included a 33–0 victory over The Vanguard School and a 35–8 win over Coronado in consecutive games.
Helwege threw ten touchdown passes across those two contests, while the Lions’ defense consistently pressured opponents and created scoring opportunities.
What began as a season of rebuilding became a season of competing, winning, and establishing CSCS as a program to watch.
The improvement was evident in the record, but even more meaningful was the confidence, discipline, and determination these young women developed along the way.
A Foundation for the Future
For seniors Hayley Helwege, Julia Sherbondy, Sharon Krein, Rylee Gallant, and Tashyla Johnson, this season will be remembered as one that helped redefine expectations for CSCS Girls Flag Football.
Their leadership, alongside the contributions of a talented group of returning players, helped create a team that competed with confidence and represented CSCS with pride.
This group demonstrated what can happen when athletes commit to preparation, trust their coaches and teammates, and refuse to be defined by past results.
At CSCS, we believe athletics provides opportunities to develop character, strengthen community, and pursue excellence while representing Jesus Christ. This season gave our girls countless opportunities to grow in each of those areas.
And perhaps most exciting is what comes next. The Lions have established a new standard for their program and given future CSCS athletes something to build upon.
Proud of Our Lions
We are incredibly proud of Head Coach Aaron Moore, the coaching staff, and every athlete who contributed to this season. Their commitment to improving this program has produced results worth celebrating.
To our seniors, thank you for your leadership and for helping establish a foundation that will continue to impact this program. To our families and supporters, thank you for standing behind these young women throughout the season.
And to our Lions, what an incredible accomplishment.
From two wins to ten. From a challenging season to the state playoffs.
You exceeded expectations, raised the standard, and showed what this program is capable of achieving.
We are proud of the athletes you’ve become, the way you’ve represented CSCS, and the future you’re helping build.
What a season, Lions. The future of CSCS Girls Flag Football is bright!