Two years ago, Auburn High Head Coach Adrian Hayes and Assistant Coach Lincoln Burt had no idea that in two short winters they would be coaching a girls flag football team in the first ever state tournament.

“They mean a lot. It was one of their goals this season, to have a good season and get to here,” Hayes said. “We set a goal and we hit it.”

Albeit their run was short-lived, but the Auburn Trojans making the state tournament lays the groundwork for a sport and program that is on the rise.

“They mean a lot, they are like a family to me. I am grateful to play with them and make it this far,” junior Fele Gasetoto said.

The Trojans matched up with the second seed from the north, Woodinville, which beat the Trojans 42-22 on Feb. 15 at Mount Tahoma High School.

It wasn’t easy to get to the state tournament, the Trojans had to make it through NPSL play and then a district tournament. For a sport that isn’t recognized by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), athletic directors and administrators deserve a lot of credit in the girls flag football space.

As far as play on the field, it was a process to make state. But the Trojans made history on a Saturday in February at Mount Tahoma High School.

“It’s been a lot of fun, but a lot of work. Five days a week and then all day on Saturday’s. But the girls energy made it all worth it,” Hayes said.

The team lost just two regular season games, one to Kent-Meridian and the following game to Kentwood. The loss to Kent-Meridian on Dec. 19 really woke up the Trojans and set them on a course to the postseason.

“I didn’t think we would be here (state) after we lost to Kent-Meridian and Kentwood,” Gasetoto said.

In the game against Woodinville,the Trojan defense held strong, forcing the Falcons to score on a fourth-and-goal. But on offense, the Falcons did not let Auburn find any rhythm.

After throwing a pick six to on her first drive, quarterback Fele Gasetoto bounced back for a score on their third drive of the game. She found Brynn Casperson over the top of the Falcon defense for the score and cut the Woodinville lead to 14-8.

Woodinville then scored on back-to-back drives to take a 28-8 lead at halftime. It wasn’t going to be easy for Auburn to get back into this game. The Falcons made that even more apparent as they intercepted Gasetoto on her first drive out of the break.

But the Trojans forced a turnover on downs leading Gasetoto to find Jonalyn Olipares down the middle of the field for a score cutting the lead to 28-15.

Auburn safety Kylie Olson put her team in fantastic position to cut the Falcon lead to one possession after she recorded Auburn’s lone interception of the game. After getting to a goal-to-go scenario Auburn couldn’t find the end zone.

Woodinville scored another touchdown on offense and a second pick six to seal the game away at 42-15. There was only a touchdown from Mary Bello which was more of a consolation prize for the Trojans as their time at the state tournament had run out.

For just a second-year sport, this meant a lot to the girls that competed. In games all day, the losing team’s sidelines would be filled with tears. But peeking through the tears would be smiles from the memories made and friendships that blossomed through a sport that many had never even thought of playing.

Auburn has just four seniors on the roster and for those coming back this game serves as excitement for what is to come, but also a hunger to get back to the same stage next season.

“That was kind of our closing conversation was, this feeling you get right now. Think about it in the offseason so that we are not here next season,” Hayes said.

“We are gonna get a trophy next year,” Gasetoto said.

Kylie Olson takes a tumble after catching an interception. Ben Ray / The Reporter