Panthers Make History in First-Ever Girls Flag Football Game at Bonney Lake High School

The Insider
3 days ago
3 min read

Haley Grimit celebrates after scoring her second TD on the night.

Bonney Lake High School opened a brand-new chapter in its athletics history Tuesday night as the Panthers took the field for the school’s first-ever girls flag football game. While the sport has existed in the SPSL for a few seasons, this marks the debut year for Bonney Lake, led by head coach Eric Jarvis, who has quickly compiled a spirited, athletic roster ready to compete.

Against a more seasoned Spanaway Lake program, with several years of league experience already under their belts, the Panthers showed flashes of brilliance, big-play potential, and plenty of reasons for the home crowd to get excited. And on a crisp, 40-degree night with no rain in sight, fans packed the stands for a historic opener that lived up to the buzz.

Quarterback Addison Krehbiel with 2 TD's on the night.

Flag football is played 7-on-7, and on Tuesday the Panthers competed on a 50-yard field, which is one of the approved field sizes for high school flag football. Games consist of two 20-minute halves, with first downs awarded every 17 yards. But the rules weren’t what mattered on opening night. The Panthers were out to prove something in their debut—ready to show that Bonney Lake belongs in this fast-growing sport.

First Half: Panthers Strike First, and Make History

Quarterback Addison Krehbiel wasted no time settling in. On the opening drive, she dissected the Sentinel defense with quick, sharp passes, repeatedly finding wide receiver Morgan Berg to march the Panthers downfield.

Jada Shipp finding the endzone in the first half.

With just five minutes gone, running back Haley Grimit burst through the defense on a 20-yard run, crossing the goal line for the first touchdown in Bonney Lake girls flag football history. The Panthers took an early 7–0 lead, and the sideline erupted.

Spanaway, however, quickly answered. With 11:30 on the clock, the Sentinels found the end zone to tie it 7–7.

Bonney Lake responded with another efficient drive. Near the goal line, Krehbiel connected with center Jada Shipp, who slipped across the middle for an easy seven. The Panthers regained the lead, 14–7.

Berg followed with what looked like a massive 40-yard run, but a flag-guarding penalty erased the highlight. Spanaway capitalized on the next possession, striking deep to tie the game at 14–14.

Just before halftime, the Panthers swung momentum again. With the Sentinels pushed back toward their own end zone, the defense swarmed for a safety, giving Bonney Lake a 16–14 lead heading into the break.

Panthers offense. Jada Shipp, Addison Krehbiel, Haley Grimit, Abi Benigno, Kamille Avila, Izumi Jorden Taijeron.

Second Half: A Back-and-Forth Battle

Spanaway opened the second half aggressively. With 14 minutes remaining, the Sentinels converted a bold 4th-and-11 at midfield, turning it into a long touchdown to take a 21–16 lead.

But Krehbiel and Grimit had an answer. From 25 yards out, the duo connected on a beautiful touchdown pass down the right side. Grimit secured her second score of the night, putting the Panthers back on top, 23–21.

On the very next play from scrimmage, Spanaway Lake delivered the biggest blow of the evening, an end-zone-to-end-zone bomb that flipped the scoreboard once again, 28–23.

Bonney Lake continued to battle, but a final long Sentinels run in the closing minutes stretched the lead to 35–23, sealing the outcome.

A Fun, Fast, Electric Start for a New Panther Program

Despite the loss, the Panthers showcased energy, skill, and resilience in their first-ever contest. Krehbiel’s command of the offense, Berg’s agility in space, Grimit’s breakout performance, and Shipp’s sure hands all highlighted what could be an exciting inaugural season.

This team is fun. They play fast. And they gave the Bonney Lake community a glimpse of something new, something that already feels like it belongs.

Next Up

The Panthers hit the road on December 5, traveling down the hill to face rival Sumner Spartans. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Bundle up, make the short drive, and come cheer on your Panthers as they continue their first-ever season of girls flag football.