- April 19, 2024
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Seabreeze's Giuliana Klioze splits a pair of Hawks defenders. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Bailey McQuarrie sprints past two Hawks defenders. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Bailey McQuarrie flicks a pass downfield against the Hawks. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze' Kara Haas shovels a pass against the Hawks. Photo by Ray Boone
The Sandcrabs' Kara Haas attempts to shuffle a pass to a nearby teammate. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze coach Mike Fries addresses his team during a timeout. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Kara Haas smiles after scoring a touchdown against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Bailey McQuarrie dives to catch a lateral pass. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Alihya Hahn sprints past a Hawks defender. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Alihya Hahn sprints past a Hawks defender. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Bailey McQuarrie throws a pass against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Bailey McQuarrie throws a pass against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
The Sandcrabs' Angelina Cruz celebrates after recording her first career interception. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Kara Haas brings down an interception against the Hawks. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Alihya Hahn tries to escape a Hawks defender. Photo by Ray Boone
The Sandcrabs' Bailey McQuarrie runs up the field against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze coach Mike Fries calls out a play against the Hawks. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Giuliana Klioze hauls in a touchdown pass against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
The Sandcrabs' Kara Haas rushes past two Hawks defenders. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Alex Nelson (No. 7) gives a teammate a high-five after scoring a touchdown. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Bailey McQuarrie attempts to juke a Hawks defender. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Bailey McQuarrie hauls in an interception against the Hawks. Photo by Ray Boone
The Sandcrabs’ Alex Nelson never played center before the start of the 2019 season. She was on the Seabreeze flag football team’s junior varsity roster as a freshman last year and did not expect to make it onto the varsity team as a sophomore.
In Seabreeze’s matchup with Spruce Creek on the afternoon of Thursday, March 14, Nelson zipped between the Hawks’ defense and was open in the right corner of the end zone at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex. A well-placed throw by Sandcrabs quarterback Bailey McQuarrie found Nelson’s open arms, giving Seabreeze a 19-0 lead over the Hawks.
Nelson let out a triumphant roar as she stormed back to the sideline, slapping fives with her teammates and coaches along the way.
The Sandcrabs have played three games so far this season — all victories — and Nelson has scored in every one of them.
“I get really excited and I feed off of that,” she said. “It helps me keep my energy throughout the game.”
Thursday’s game was relatively uneventful for the majority of the first three quarters. Sandcrabs receiver Kara Haas hauled in a 15-yard touchdown pass from McQuarrie for the Sandcrabs’ first score of the game with 1:02 to play in the opening half.
That score remained until Giuliana Klioze caught a touchdown pass to give the Sandcrabs a 12-0 with 9:34 to play in regulation.
McQuarrie, who also plays defense, snagged an interception on the Hawks’ ensuing drive. The change in possession led to Nelson’s touchdown.
“Playing on defense really helps me clear my head,” McQuarrie said. “I don’t focus on what I’m doing wrong. I can just play football.”
An interception by Haas with fewer than 3 minutes to play ended the contest.
“I think we’re in a really good place,” McQuarrie said. “We’re clicking and working together. We have a really strong bond.”
Seabreeze lost six starters from last season. But in their place have stepped in several others — most of whom previously played on the JV team: Nelson, Angelina Cruz, who recorded her first career interception in the win over the Hawks, and Riley Stoner are some of the names that come to mind.
“These girls are stepping up,” Fries said. “They’re taking that varsity jersey seriously.”
