DANVILLE — Even with injuries and a slow start to the season, the Danville High School flag football team still had to protect their house.
In Saturday’s Danville Jamboree, the Lady Vikings did just that, beating Urbana 43-12 and Peoria Manual 48-20 to repeat as Silva Division Champions.
“We are coming together and figuring everything out,” Danville coach Taylor Williams said. “As long as we stay together and play together, everything works for the best as that’s what matters the most.”
Against Manual, the Lady Vikings dominated much of the first half with Jhe’Nyi Parker scoring on two long runs, Ashanti Conaway returning an interception for a touchdown and Ava Foster finding Audrina Burns for a touchdown for a 24-8 halftime lead.
“Jhe’Nyi is amazing. She is very talented, quick and smart and we are so glad she come out this season,” Williams said. “Ashanti is one of my top defenders, she is very quick, controls the backfield and when she grabs it, she goes. They are both track stars so they can just get it and go.”
“They are a very aggressive team, so I know how to pull through them and kept running to the finish line, said Parker, who had two two-point conversions against Urbana. “It’s a very good experience to know that we are playing these teams and still coming up with the win. It was a hard fight, but we were doing it for (deceased Danville athletics director Gary Gritton), so it was a good outcome.”
Yariah Shaw had a run for a touchdown in the third quarter before Parker had two touchdown runs in the fourth to complete the win.
On defense, Conaway and senior Gabi Rule were leading the team. While Conaway had some interceptions, Rule was able to come in constantly through the Manual line to get the flag of the Rams’ quarterback.
“Sometimes, they have to focus and Gabi has to feel it and then she goes,” Williams said. “She is one of our top defenders and she is our feisty one. When something is not clicking right, she has that mean streak and then when it clicks, she’s good.”
The second year of the Jamboree brought in more changes but Williams said everyone was able to handle those challenges.
“Everyone is still learning the game,” Williams said. “Last year, we had to learn the whole rulebook and this season, we are re-learning the new rules. It gets confusing sometime, but we will all get it.”
With the record, the Lady Vikings are 5-6 after the wins at the Jamboree and a win over Urbana last Thursday.
“They didn’t want to hear it but it is better than 2-6 and 3-6 when we started today,” Williams said. “In the beginning, we didn’t expect the season to go how it went with injuries and kids with dual sports conflicting with everything. We had to adjust to some girls injured and absent and when we do adjust, it is there. When we get everyone back, it will be better.”
“It was a hot day and we played some tough games, but we did our studying and came together to win,” Parker said. “Our coaches are very fun. “Our team has its ups and downs, but we still pull through and cheer each other on even with mistakes.”