Heritage High School’s girls flag football team is gaining recognition for its hard work, teamwork, and success on the field. After two seasons with 11 total wins, the team finished this regular season with an 11-4 record and earned a first-round playoff bye. Additionally, The Denver Broncos awarded “Coach of the Week” to the team’s coach, Mr. Kirt Woodman. This recognition of the program marks an important moment for the team.
For Woodman, the recognition means more than an individual accomplishment. “As a lifelong Broncos fan, being recognized by the Denver Broncos for the work I’m doing is honestly a dream come true,” Woodman said. “But the real meaning of this recognition is the pride I have in our program. I view this as a team honor, not an individual award.”
The players also see the recognition as a sign that their work is paying off. “The Broncos recognition means a lot,” Tenley Erling ’29 said. “At the start of the season we were doing well and I feel like we weren’t getting seen for the work we had been putting in.” Erling explained that after the Broncos award, both the athletes and their coach began to receive more attention.
That improvement has come through hard work, coaching and a commitment to building a stronger program. Although this is Woodman’s first season coaching girls flag football, he has about 20 years of experience coaching football and teaching. When he joined the program, he wanted to establish a culture built on preparation, accountability, and competition. The team’s motto, “Elevate the standard,” is a reflection of their goal.
Many players have noticed a difference in their coaching since Woodman joined. “The coaching this year was truly amazing,” Maddy Walcott ’29 said. “Woodman has truly made an impact on our team, and has taught me valuable lessons. He has helped me and the rest of our team become more confident in our abilities.”
The team’s success has also helped strengthen the connections in the flag football community. “The flag football community is great,” Walcott said. “This has truly become more than just a team, but a family, and the connections everyone has made is truly something special.”
As Walcott put it, “Making the playoffs my second season playing ever with these girls and coaches is truly special to me and will be something I never forget.”