St. Francis made a name for itself following a tremendous 2023 fall campaign in what was the inaugural official season for girls flag football in California.
Opposing teams who didn’t know it then should probably start paying closer attention now. The Sharks are off to a 6-0 start in Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division play this season.
They notched a pair of impressive victories over North Monterey County and Palma in league action Sept. 12. Sophomore Maya Calfee hauled in a pair of touchdown receptions, and recorded three interceptions on defense in the win against Palma.
“We were really determined and focused to win the game. It was just a team effort, and coach [Frank Galvan] really made us better and made us win this game,” she said.
St. Francis coach Frank Galvan believes Calfee’s impact in practice is what makes her the player she is today.
“We already saw what [Calfee] did last year, but the way she helps others to get better at practice, it allows us to be better during the game,” Galvan said.
Prior to last week’s dual matches at Strawberry Stadium, Calfee hauled in seven receptions for 320 yards and four touchdowns in a crushing 49-0 win over Pajaro Valley in league play Sept. 3. She also had four flag pulls and one interception on defense.
The Sharks’ star receiver added 13 receptions for 310 yards and one touchdown in a non-league win against Loma Linda on Sept. 6. Calfee was once again a stalwart on defense with one flag pull and three interceptions.
Calfee had another strong performance that same day against Sacramento Adventist Academy. She finished with seven receptions for 180 yards and three TDs to go along with five flag pulls in St. Francis’ lone loss of the season.
Galvan has 15 years experience coaching flag football, and having a player such as Calfee gives him an opportunity to just concentrate on the game. He said it allows them to try different things they haven’t done in the past in order to showcase Calfee’s skills on different parts of the field.
“Not just the same routes, even though it seems like they are, but they’re not,” he said. “But with her ability to catch the ball, you can pretty much put her anywhere, running back, quarterback, slot, fly routes, whatever. And I think that’s what opens it up for us.”
Galvan said NMC will pose a challenge for them and he was impressed with Palma’s speed, especially to the outside. He has no doubt both opponents will improve by November for the end of the year PCAL tournament.
The rest of the PCAL Mission Division includes Rancho San Juan, Carmel, Pacific Collegiate, Pajaro Valley, Marina, North Salinas, Santa Catalina and Seaside.
“It’s actually a serious sport. You are looking for a division title, you are looking for that Central Coast Section championship next year,” Galvan said.
As usual, the tiny private school has a limited roster of just 12 players.
“We’re always up for the challenge. I want to run into somebody that really tells me where we’re at as a team, versus thinking we’re there,” Galvan said.
Calfee is joined by fellow sophomores Talia Moakler, Mackenzie Ridgway and Chanel Venter.
The rest of the group features two seniors in Mia Guardino and Jianna Muzzio, and six freshmen: Jasleen Avalos, Abigail Bedolla, Aubrey Nualart, Liliana Whitmeyer, Keira Grio and Evonna Jordan.
Four of the freshmen are in the starting lineup including Whitmeyer at quarterback.
“Last year was our first year, the first time, but we had a lot of seniors and they were focused,” Calfee said. “Right now we have freshmen, and even though they’re freshmen they’re still focused and determined to play the sport.”
This season’s shiver of Sharks will lean on Calfee’s experience and work ethic she brings every day.
“On game day, she elevates it to the next level. And she’s a perfect example of what you want to be or better,” Galvan said. “The great thing about her is she’s so coachable, she’s super humble. She doesn’t think she’s any better than anybody else on the team, and that allows her to be liked and respected by the others.”
So far, the most difficult task for Galvan is having a young quarterback learn a new system and the way he likes to run his program. Going from a junior high program to the high school varsity level can be intimidating, and the veteran flag football coach is fully aware of it.
“That’s been a challenge. But as a coach you have to learn how to adjust to what you have, not what I had last year with my senior quarterback and my senior running backs,” Galvan said.
Galvan talked about his system, which is all based on timing and waiting for plays to develop. That includes progressions for the short, intermediate and deep routes the Sharks run.
Calfee said Galvan is one of the most intelligent coaches she’s been around. She added it’s one of the many reasons they were so well prepared during the inaugural season.
“Instead of getting us better on the field, he gets us better mentally. And that’s a very big part in winning games. He’s really smart, and I really appreciate him.”
For now, Galvan will continue to make adjustments because a priority for him is putting players in a position to be able to compete.
“It’s part of you as a coach to forget about what you had last year, you go with what you have now, and it’s your job to make them better. If anything, make them believe in themselves,” Galvan said.
Up next, the Sharks host both Seaside and Watsonville on Sept. 24. The first game is scheduled for 5pm.
