The Doherty flag football team wanted to set the tone early Friday night, and it did so with a touchdown in the first minute of its home game against The Vanguard School.

What followed was an all-around dominant performance, ending in a 50-0 victory. After the initial touchdown from junior quarterback Nelah Thompson, the Spartans (3-3) went on to score four more in the first half and two in the second, including two pick sixes.

“Nothing better than a shutout at home,” Doherty coach Rodney Pierson told his team after the game, followed by a shower from the players’ water bottles in lighthearted fun.

It wasn’t a state championship, but a performance like that to open 5A/4A Southern Colorado League play would make any team excited.

“We wanted to make a statement, and we played a really strong non-conference schedule to prepare us for this and for the playoffs down the road,” Pierson said. “The girls have really bought in.”

Doherty has had a taste of being shut out, including a 26-0 loss to Valor Christian in its second game of the season, but Friday’s performance was a reflection of its hard work and dedication.

After an 11-3 season and playoff berth last year, the Spartans know they have big shoes to fill.

“Everyone’s overall IQ of the game has improved the most,” said Thompson, who is in her second year. “Last year, we were going out to have fun and learn the rules but this year there is generally better IQ as a team. I have high hopes for this team.”

The Coursers (0-3), on the other hand, are still seeking their first-ever win after an 0-11 inaugural season. With several girls playing flag football for the first time, Vanguard coach Simon Villanoz knows it will take time.

“We just lost track of some of the things we were trying to nail down and the game got away from us pretty quick,” Villanoz said. “It’s a tough go but we have a young team. We are just trying to build this team, that’s all it is.”

As the score ran up, Pierson began to put in less experienced players to get them confident with the game. Last year, the team had 19 players by the end of the season and that number has grown to around 50 on the current squad.

Juniors Thompson and Bella Marquez each had two touchdowns, Yaslin Sequinot and Aubrey Smith returned interceptions for scores for Doherty, and Kiley Nakimoto rounded out the scoring.

Pierson was happy to see both new and veteran players get experience, especially as they prepare to face 2024 4A state runner-up The Classical Academy on Wednesday.

The score will probably look much different, but a close-knit Spartans team isn’t counting itself out.

“We struggled the first three games but they kept taking steps forward no matter if it was a win or loss,” Pierson said. “When they come out and bust their tail at practice good things come in the game.”