Hayley Helwege only required two years to adapt to the world of flag football.

Verbiage like “football camp” and “film study” is a part of everyday vernacular for the Colorado Springs Christian School senior, who began playing the sport last year as a junior. Helwege said she played flag football because “it was new and exciting.”

That serves as an excellent description of how Helwege and her Colorado Springs Christian teammates feel about the upcoming Pikes Peak Kickoff Classic game at 4:30 p.m. Friday against Fountain-Fort Carson at Weidner Field.

“If you told me this a year ago, I would not have believed you,” Helwege said during Tuesday’s news conference at the McDivitt Club at Weidner Field. “I could have never envisioned such a big stadium or event that we could play in. I’m excited and glad we get to play a team like Fountain-Fort Carson and I love all those girls.”

It is an opportunity that represents more than a game on a prominent stage. It highlights the growth of players and flag football, according to CSCS coach Aaron Moore.

“We’re honored that the (Pikes Peak Athletic Foundation) chose us to participate,” Moore said. “Our girls are excited to play in the big stadium and represent this up-and-coming sport that empowers young girls in a way that I think no other sport does. To put this on a bigger stage here in the city and give it the highlight it deserves and to compete against a team and coach that I really like, everything works and I’m excited.”

With that enthusiasm comes nerves and the Lions will work to tame those against the Trojans, who will enter the matchup with four games (1-3) to Colorado Springs Christian’s one.

The Lions are 1-0 but have multiple freshmen in the starting lineup and eight on the roster. Helwege and fellow captains Julia Sherbondy and Anna Glojek understand how to calm themselves in tight moments. But the cubs of the team will need to learn that process on the fly.

Moore named the above trio captains for a reason and they know how to prepare their teammates in those pressure situations.

“It’s about encouragement,” Helwege said. “They’re here for a reason. We have two or three freshmen starting on offense or defense. They’re athletes and can play at a (high) level and play in a big stadium like this. We’ll also emphasize the excitement versus nerves of it. When you’re warming up together it’s a lot different from warming up alone. Pregame prayer and warmup is going to help us settle any nerves.”

Both teams look forward to the challenge of facing each other. Fountain-Fort Carson and Colorado Springs Christian athletes exchanged compliments during Tuesday’s press conference and Lions wide receiver and safety Glojek said, “We love them so much.”

“We’ve been playing with them for about two years at this camp we’ve been going to in the summer,” Glojek said. “It’s really fun and we’re excited because it’s going to be a competitive game.”