I can't say that I have wrapped my mind completely around the various "Massimiliano Family" connections that were in play last week as the Marymount Regals and St Charles College Cardinals hooked up in a Senior Division A flag football game - but suffice to note that Ava, Bella and Mya all played prominent roles in the contest.
Led by touchdown runs of 9, 57 and 14 yards from Ava Massimiliano, the Cards upended the Regals 28-13, improving to 1-0-1 following a rare tie in their opening encounter with the Confederation Chargers.
The final SCC major was the result of a 57 yard pass and run from QB Nyah Robinson to receiver Kaydan Francoeur, with Bryn Hobson rounding out the scoring for the winners with four converts.
Kayiesha Thomas and Mya Massimiliano registered TDs for Marymount, with Bella Massimiliano adding a point after as well as picking off a pass, with Julia Dunphy adding an interception to her stat-line for the Cardinals.
Given some of the learning curve that faces new quarterbacks in this league, it only stands to reason that some passes might end up in the hands of an opposing defender.
"I need to work more on seeing who is open and where I should throw it," said Nyah Robinson, a 15 year-old grade 11 student who played primarily as a receiver in her first two years with the team.
"That parts still gets me and then I just throw it wherever I think it should be going. I need to look more."
That said, the multi-sport talent is excited to be tackling her new role, even if there are some lessons along the way.
"The coaches have seen my potential to throw the ball far with accuracy," said Robinson. "It feels better to be the quarterback and have the confidence to throw the ball."
Doing double duty at times on the defensive side of the ball, Robinson liked what she saw from the unit tha did a very good job of keeping a talented Marymount crew in check.
"Our defense did well tracking on all plays, knowing and calling where the ball is going," she said. "We just need to get there a little quicker and intercept the ball more. As a defender, you have to be aggressive."
"Don't be overly aggressive, because then it will be a foul (penalty) - but go for the ball and not the player."
The last game of the night on Monday would see the Sudbury Secondary School North Stars make it two wins in as many games, besting the Champlain Requins 19-17.
Lesley Fetgo Simo, Sophie Tchuente Simo and Dezaray Debassige all reached the end zone for SSS, with Tchuente Simo adding a key convert while Katrine Fortier (2 X TD), Olivia Lachapelle (2pt PAT), Maxyme Bruler (2pt PAT) and Dalia Bélanger (rouge) countered for the CSCNO representatives.
The SDSSAA Junior Girls Division B schedule kicked off earlier in the day as the Lively Hawks outscored the Chelmsford Flyers 25-6 to get their season off and running.
The Hawks stuck to the ground game for their offensive outbursts as Leah Salo (59 & 14 yd TD runs), Jaden Palmquist (67 yd TD run) and Brooke Lanovaz (50 yd TD run) all scrambled their way to paydirt, with Kamryn Maloney adding a single for the winners.
Ryleigh Harris gave the Chelmsford crew reason to celebrate with a touchdown run of her own for the Flyers.
Already looking good in the Senior Division B ranks, the St Benedict Bears look to be adding to their talent pool in 2025 as the junior crew blanked the Champlain Requins 24-0 in their inaugural game of the fall.
Ava Woods accounted for a pair of touchdowns, Olaterere Awosika added another and Reece Chaumont handled the kicking game with authority (three converts and a field goal) as coaches Diandra Zafiris and Jayden Lizares had their team firing on all cylinders.
