The Piedmont High School flag football team is looking to grow in its second year of existence.
The new sport will have North Coast Section playoffs for the first time this season. After spending its inaugural year introducing girls to the sport, Highlanders coach Beth Black now wants to see the year-to-year improvement in the program.
“They are a good squad this year, ” said Black. “Last year was all the newness, the first, the first, the first, the first. This year we all love that it’s a new sport but we have a lot of athletes. They learned a lot.”
“I have seen continual growth,” she said. “They were supposed to keep learning. And I loved that.”
There will be a new set of quarterbacks leading the offense. Freshman Edie Elmquist is challenging seniors Clea Villaluz and Dorothy Nemeth. “We’re not overworking their arms,” Black said. “They’re working on their own on the
weekends. Ideally, I want two. I would like the ability to have two people back there that can throw. You always want one who is your go-to.”
Senior running back Miya Fujimoto is back but suffered an ankle injury in Piedmont’s scrimmage and sat out the opening game against Las Lomas on August 28. Junior Kalyani Spieckerman took carries in her place. The top receivers will be junior Malia Williams and senior Alma Ruberto.
Junior Dahlia Osman was a revelation on defense a year ago and is back, bringing her nose for the ball and flag-grabbing ability. She’ll also line up on offense as a receiver.
Kalyani Spieckerman (25) runs past Las Lomas’ Elinor Matalon 
Dahlia Osman looks back after making a tackle on Aug. 28
“I played most players on both sides of the ball,” Black said of the scrimmage.
Senior Ella Yassar is coming off a terrific track season and will bring a lot of speed to the field. Senior Mary Schickedanz will contribute as will junior Lily Colbert, a newcomer to the team. Junior Stephanie Lee is another speedster who will contribute all over the field.
Last year, Black had enough players for two squads, but didn’t divide them into varsity and junior varsity. This year, the teams will fill the traditional roles. Each has 17 players to start the season.
“With that number, everybody’s going to get on the field,” Black said. “Everybody’s going to get experience and it really gives them time to grow. I want girls to grow and know both sides of the ball.”
There will be two divisions in the West Alameda County Conference this year – Piedmont is in the North Division along with Alameda, Berkeley, Encinal and San Leandro. Many of the teams in the South are in their first year of play. Piedmont will begin WACC play on September 17 when it hosts Encinal.
On August 28, the Highlanders lost to Las Lomas at Witter Field, 28-6. Nemeth scored the touchdown late in the game on a pass reception.
Piedmont will play its home games at Witter Field this season after playing them in the baseball outfield last year. One advantage to that is a full 80-yard field.