Red Devils junior quarterback Gianna Ponticello has thrown 40 touchdown passes in a dozen games. Donovan Berthoud/Herald
This is just the fourth season for the Plainedge’s girls flag football program but already it has established dominance like the boys football team in North Massapequa.
The Red Devils girls won the Nassau Class B title in 2024. After being moved down because of lower enrollment, Plainedge captured the Class C county championship last spring.
Moved back to the more powerful Class B for 2026, Plainedge is eyeing a third straight title after posting a 10-1-1 record after its 40-0 bludgeoning of Bethpage on April 30.
“We like our chances,’’ coach Adam Hovorka said. “Other teams are saying the same thing. We have a lot of experienced players. The girls really like each other, hang out after school and are coachable.’’
The Red Devils also have a terrific passing game led by sterling quarterback, junior Gianna Ponticello, who completed 10 of 13 passes for 217 yards and threw for four touchdowns versus Bethpage to give her 40 for the year.
“We can really throw the ball,’’ Hovorka said. “The quarterback Gianna can really throw it, and we have multiple receivers who run really well and catch the ball.’’
Also a volleyball player, Ponticello has completed 152 of 220 passes for 2,165 yards with just six interceptions. “She’s incredibly accurate – ridiculously accurate,’’ Hovorka said.
Ponticello plays volleyball but an early softball career set her up for quarterback. Ponticello joined the flag squad as a freshman receiver, but stepped in as quarterback when the starter missed several games for college visits.
“Softball has helped me,’’ said Ponticello. “That’s where I found I got my arm strength and accuracy.”
Source: Massapequa Post
