They didn’t make it to state, but they came mighty close.
The Destin High School Sharks flag football team lost to the Bolles Bulldogs 40-13 in an Elite Eight matchup in Jacksonville on May 7 in the Class 1A FHSAA girls flag football regional finals.
“We started out well. It was just one of those games where the ball just didn’t bounce our way,” Destin Coach Kyle Bryant said.
“There were freak accidents ... like the ball bouncing off the girl's chest and landing in the other girl's hands,” Bryant said.
He said the Bulldogs made some “miraculous” catches for scores.
“It just wasn’t our night,” he said.
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Nevertheless, the Sharks scored the first and last touchdowns of the game.
Senior Bailey Gaffney scored the last TD, and Kaylee Kaiser the first.
This was the Sharks' first year to be eligible tocompete in the FHSAA playoffs.
“I’ve talked about winning state and planned to win state. But to get to the Elite Eight and actually do what you said you would do, that you were trying to do, is miraculous in itself,” Bryant said.
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The Sharks wrapped up their season 12-6.
“I’m beyond proud of those girls,” Bryant said, noting they have dealt with a lot this year.“The stuff they overcame was nothing short of miraculous."
Bryant said they've had teammates leave, key players get hurt and still made it to the Elite Eight.
"It’s a testament to the seniors,” he said.
Senior Sharks were Evie Gherdovich, Mia Castaneda, Elena Martin and Bailey Gaffney.
The Sharks should have a good nucleus of players returning next season: Neilya Stewart, Kaylee Kaiser, Lilly McClen and Lindi Mansfield to name a few.
“I had some freshmen that I moved up ... I’m looking forward to them growing over the summer,” he said.
“I’m extremely proud and honored to be their coach,” Bryant said. “This was a special team from top to bottom. As a whole, even the girls that might not have filled up the stat sheet were just as important.
“It was just a great group of girls. The energy they had the whole year was so phenomenal. It was a breath of fresh air to be around them, and they worked hard and deserved everything they got,” Bryant said.
And the fact that the Sharks made it to the Elite Eight in their first year of eligibility just adds pressure.
“The pressure only grows now. This is what we expect from ourselves. But in order to be there, you’ve got to prepare to be there,” Bryant said. “And preparation starts now."
This article originally appeared on The Destin Log:Destin High School Sharks flag football season ends in Elite Eight