Westlake flag football team builds on unbreakable bond, freshman QB

The Westlake High girls flag football team credits its success to an unbreakable bond off the field.

Freshman quarterback Annabel O’Keefe isn’t just leading the Warriors – she’s leading a group of best friends.

“Our bond is so strong, I have never been on a team with a bond like this,” O’Keefe said, “We’re so close.”

With 14 girls on the varsity roster, five are underclassmen. As flag football is rapidly growing in popularity in the CIF Southern Section, this trend is evident throughout the Marmonte League. Cross-town rival Thousand Oaks has 18 girls on its roster, 10 are underclassmen.

“It’s really special, especially because of the fact that our team is so young,” junior Kate Janowicz said. “I get to see all of them grow and I get to grow with them as pretty much best friends.”

This young dynamic is not getting in the way of the Warriors’ success.

“We have a freshman quarterback who’s spinning it like a senior,” coach Mike Eames said.

Westlake defeated Thousand Oaks 28-0 Tuesday night at home. It was the Warriors’ second shutout in the last three games at home, which brought the team’s record to 11-5 overall and 5-2 in the Marmonte League.

The transition from being a new high school student to leading a varsity squad has been a challenge for O’Keefe and star freshman wide receiver Summer Davis, but the team’s bond has made the transition smoother.

“It’s hard, but I can still take care of it and control it because of all my teammates and all the sisterhood we have at Westlake,” Davis said.

At the tail end of their season, the team’s bond is strengthened by their drive and love for the game.

“We are all so passionate, you can tell throughout the game, we want to win,” O’Keefe said.

Westlake’s first flag football season kicked off during the 2023-24 school year and became a CIF playoff sport last season.

The rise of the sport is leading to a rise in post-high school opportunities.

“This is definitely something I would want to go to college for,” Janowicz said.

By 2028 — O’Keefe and Davis’ senior seasons — over 100 colleges could offer varsity flag football teams, with an estimated 2,000 scholarship opportunities, according to USA Flag.

“Flag football is growing,” Davis said. “I really hope to get an offer one day from a college.”

The Warriors’ inaugural year was a success, going 16-3. Last fall they went 12-8.

Westlake is on track for another winning season, with high expectations for the remainder of the year.

“We would love to win out our season and try to win the league,” O’Keefe said. “And if we can, we want to win the playoffs, and get the CIF Championship.”

Westlake has just three games left on the schedule, facing off against three Marmonte League opponents in Newbury Park, Oaks Christian and Calabasas, respectively.

The CIF Southern Section girls flag football playoffs begin Oct. 21.