The Shaler Area girls flag football team etched their names in Shaler athletics history after an impressive undefeated season, which culminated with the Titans winning the inaugural WPIAL flag football championship.
The Titans started their storybook season with 13 dominating wins. In that 13-game span, they throttled opponents scoring a total of 580 points while only allowing 83 points.
But the Titans’ perfect season wasn’t always easy. Shaler took on a red-hot North Hills team in late April with their undefeated season in jeopardy.
“When the season started, we already had momentum, but the real turning point came against North Hills. It was probably our worst game but also our best game of the season. We faced adversity, made mistakes, got tested, and still found a way to come together and pull out a 25–24 victory,” head coach Robby Heinrich said.
Although the score wasn’t as lopsided as the Titans were used to, this game set the table for the rest of their season.
“It was our hardest game of the entire year, and it was the closest game in terms of the score. As soon as we won this game we all knew we had a good chance at winning the whole thing,” senior Caroline Decheck said.
They took this confidence into the following game where they faced the North Allegheny Tigers, who were ranked atop of the WPIAL rankings. The Titans responded to their scare against North Hills with a dominating 20-8 win against North Allegheny.
“We have sayings in our program: ‘Water the flowers, not the weeds’ and ‘Don’t fall into quicksand.’ Those weren’t just phrases to our girls, they became part of who we were as a team,” Heinrich said. “All season long, the girls kept lifting each other up. Whether it was making plays on the field, encouraging teammates on the sideline, or picking each other up, everything we accomplished was a complete team effort.”
And the Titans’ togetherness and will to win was on display throughout the season. They wrapped up the regular season going a perfect 16-0 winning their final matchup against Mars 60-6.
Not many programs across the WPIAL have been as dominant as the Titans, but Heinrich knew it was coming.
“Plain and simple, it was hard work. Those girls started this journey back in May of last year after a tough semifinal loss. We made a promise to each other, and by June we were already back to work. They put the time in on the field and in the weight room all summer, fall, and winter. They studied the playbook, focused on the fundamentals like flag pulling, communication, and discipline. This season wasn’t luck. It was built through dedication, accountability, and a group of girls who believed in a goal and refused to let go of it,” Heinrich said.
The top-seeded Titans entered the playoffs with one goal: win a championship. The Titans opened the playoffs with a 39-0 win over Fox Chapel. Shaler’s win earned them another game against rival North Allegheny in the quarterfinals. They picked up right where they left off with their second straight playoff shutout winning 19-0.
The semifinals did not come as easy as the first two matchups. Shaler found themselves tied with Mt. Lebanon early in the third quarter. Senior Zoey Cieslack broke the tie with a pick-six. Sophomore Lily Trgovic then found the end zone to break the game open late in the fourth quarter. The Titans secured their spot in the first ever WPIAL flag football championship after defeating Mt. Lebanon 26-13.
Later that night the Titans faced off against the Plum Mustangs in the WPIAL championship. Although the Titans had been anchored by their defense throughout the season, the offense was took charge of the championship game early. Trgovic added another score to her impressive playoff performance on the Titans’ opening possession, Cieslack another pick-six and senior Paige Querio threw a touchdown to senior Alexis Claycomb to end the Titans’ first half scoring.
Following senior Octavia Dixon’s third quarter interception, senior Emily Thomas punched in a short touchdown. Trgovic caught her second touchdown of the night to extend the Titans’ lead 34-0. Trgovic earned player of the game honors with her two touchdowns.
But the Titans defense did its job as well. The Mustangs entered the championship scoring just under 30 points per game, but they were shutout 34-0. Shaler’s defense anchored by Cieslack and Dixon continued their season-long dominance on the biggest stage.
As the final seconds ticked off of the clock, screams and teary eyes filled the field. The Titans had captured the inaugural WPIAL flag football championship.
“It’s a surreal feeling, but at the same time, a full circle moment. We won the inaugural flag football championship in 2022, and now to win the first WPIAL Flag Football Championship is incredible. These ladies should be so proud of themselves. They earned this through their work ethic, and knowing they earned it makes this feeling even more special,” Heinrich said.
