Tinton Falls, NJ-

Howard Community College's flag football team closed out their season on a tough note, dropping their final three games against experienced opponents who capitalized on late-game mistakes and fatigue. While the losses stung, they don't define what this season truly meant for the program.

Game 1:

In the first game against St. Joseph's Brooklyn was able to strike first, making it a 7-0 game. From then on Howard's offense showed flashes of creativity and explosiveness. The first drive opened up with an explosive QB rush from Ramiya Malik, she rushed for over 40 yards and brought the team into the redzone. From then on, in her first game of the season Aniya Clerisier received a handoff, made an excellent move to the outside and scored the first touchdown of the game. For the extra point attempt it was Adriel Oga who caught a pass over the outstretched hands of the defense. The defense demonstrated resilience and the ability to come up with key stops. After the Dragons scored London Galbraith anticipated the defense, catching an interception and running it all the way back to the house. Making the score 13-7 which it would remain going into halftime. Coming into the latter half, St Joseph's drove down the field, but Emma Oga caught an interception in the endzone to prevent a score. The game slipped away from the Dragons as Malik's passes were intercepted and taken to the other end, making the score 20-13. With a last minute drive Malik earned her first Touchdown pass with a 50 yard reception from A. Oga, who ran home, making the score 20-19. Howard had one opportunity to send this game to OT, but their flag was pulled before reaching the endzone, concluding to the end of the game.

Game 2:

The second game was a rematch of SUNY Courtland who the Dragons met with in the beginning of their season, that match ended 13-7. Suny opened up with a score, making it 6-0. Shortly after London Galbraith caught a pass and nearly ran it home, totaling over 40 receiving yards in one play. A couple plays later Ramiaya Malik connected with Galbraith in the endzone to even up the score. The offense slowed for Howrad and they were not able to score again until the 2 minute mark of the second half. Malik and A Oga again found each other leading to a touchdown, making the final score 12-27.

Game 3:

The last match was a time for revenge between two familiar teams. St Joseph's got into the redzone with good offense but the anchor all weekend London Galbraith caught an interception to prevent yet another score. Malik misfired immediately after allowing the opponents to catch a pick to regain possession. The Bears connected in the enzone for the first score of the match, creating a 6-0 score. With the response was Galbraith with a shallow, contested pass, and a spectacular move to score once more and even the game up 6-6.  Fatigue and repetition started to settle over the dragons as no offense translated to scores after the first touchdown. The Dragnons would end the weekend 0-3.

What matters more is where it all began. This was a historic year for Howard Community College flag football. In the middle of April, they secured the first wins in program history, setting a tone of competitiveness and belief that carried throughout the season. Those early victories weren't just numbers in the standings; they were proof that the program belonged, that the players could execute under pressure, and that something meaningful was being built from the ground up. The losses may have ended the season, but the first wins started something that's far from over. In the bigger picture, this season was never just about the final record. It was about laying a foundation. Thanks to those first historic wins, Howard Community College flag football now has something every new program needs: belief, momentum, and a standard to build on.