HAMILTON-WENTWORTH CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Gaels repeat as girls' touch football champions

For the second consecutive year the Cathedral Gaels have proven to be untouchable in girls' high school touch football.

The Gaels went undefeated through seven starts in 2023, including a 25-0 decision over the St. Thomas More Knights in the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic championship game Thursday (June 1).

That contest was held at More.

"They have tremendous talent and tremendous athletes," Knights coach Joe Burke said of Cathedral.

"They made every play. The caught the ball when they had to, made great interceptions and scored when they had opportunities.

"We were overwhelmed."

The Gaels also defeated More, 13-0, earlier in round-robin portion of the 7-on-7 one-hand touch competition.

The twin-sister combination of Keira and Nicole Daly spearheaded Cathedral's attack. Quarterback Keira threw three touchdown passes to Nicole - covering 18, 26 and 20 yards - plus connected for a 20-yard TD strike to Maya Flynn.

The Dalys' cousin, Rachel, also grabbed a one-point conversion pass.

"Our football intelligence is incredible," Cathedral coach Tony Tassone said. "It's a complete credit (to the players). What we're able to do from the line of scrimmage in checking things up is second to none."

Unlike other teams, Cathedral players all carry the plays with them on the field - in Velcro-wrapped wristbands.

"That's just the base," Tassone said of the information available. "We can change things up as we're going along. I can say something from the sideline and the girls know how to respond to it."

Along with Keira's "football intelligence" she possesses a strong and accurate throwing arm. In addition, she excels at scrambling to avoid the rush.

"It's incredible to see the other girls follow her direction with regards to putting themselves in position where she can get them the ball," the Gaels coach said.

The Knights strong point was on defence. Grade 9 student Mia Mazzuca made a pair of interceptions against Cathedral and, during More's 8-1 semifinal win over the St. John Henry Newman Cardinals, Jen DeMedeiros picked off three passes (including one on the game's final play).

"It was a great win," Nicole said. "I think we played really well as a team. Everyone did a great job of running their routes.

"Everyone on offence can catch. That makes it easier for the quarterback she can look for any one."

Nicole ended up tossing a forward pass, too. It was a double-pass play from Keira to Nicole to Maria Atanasoei for a gain of 20 yards.

"My sister is a better quarterback than me," Nicole said with a smile. "She's the main quarterback, for sure."

Other interceptions for Cathedral were made by Nicole, Atanasoei and Amy Varrasso.

More finished with a 4-4 overall record. "We're happy how they progressed throughout the tournament," Burke said. "They were cohesive as a group. It was great coaching the girls."

Coaches Burke, Claudio Silvestri and Rob Fuciarelli from the Knights tackle football team have been running the boys and girls touch tournaments at More since 2014.

Other Cathedral players included Valentina Munn, Franchez Bendje, Lauren Daly, Carolina Munn, Alaina Bigford, Angelina Medeiros, Gloria Sika-Kampia, Shanya Samuel, Emma Vivian, Beatrice Clausen and Sienna Ford-Landu.

Next season, the Daly sisters are aiming for a three-peat of championships in three sports - touch football, basketball and badminton. Said Tassone, "Keira and Nicole are two of the best athletes that have ever travelled through the hallways of Cathedral."

The Gaels defeated Newman, 6-1, in the final last year.