In just its second season as an official spring sport, flag football at White County High School continues to grow, and so does one of its most versatile athletes in quarterback Sarah Winfree.
After spending last year primarily at wide receiver, she stepped into a much larger role following the team’s quarterback graduation, taking over as the signal-caller.
“It was difficult because when you’re the [quarterback,] you’re in control of everyone else on the field,” Winfree said. “You’re in charge, so it’s a lot of pressure.”
Winfree said moving from catching passes to delivering them meant adjusting to new responsibilities, new reads, and a new level of leadership. But as the season progressed, Winfree said her growth became evident, especially in her decision-making and accuracy.
As a freshman, she piled up 640 receiving yards and nine touchdowns while adding over 400 rushing yards, production that made her one of the Warriorettes’ top offensive threats. Now at quarterback, that versatility has translated into a deeper understanding of the offense as a whole.
Her impact is not limited to one side of the ball, either. Winfree also plays defensive rusher, where her goal is to disrupt. Winfree said she makes sure she puts pressure on the quarterback every chance she can on defense.
That two-way presence has been especially important for a team navigating change. Winfree said as the Warriorettes lost several key players from last season, the team has relied heavily on younger athletes stepping into bigger roles.
“We’ve gone through a lot of adversity,” Winfree said. “[We lost] a bunch of players from last year and having a bunch of freshmen step up this year, so we’ve improved a lot, and especially being a new sport here at White County.”
Despite those challenges, the program has remained competitive. White County finished last season with a strong 10-4 record and emerged as one of the top teams in Tennessee, setting a foundation that this year’s group is continuing to build on.
Winfree said part of that success comes from her overall athletic background. She competes in multiple sports, something Winfree said gives her an edge no matter what field she is on.
“Coming into [this season,] it wasn’t really that hard to learn,” Winfree said. “If you’re athletic you can really do anything. So it was pretty easy to catch onto, it was just the roles you have to remember.”
Now, as the Warriorettes continue to establish themselves in a still-growing sport, Winfree’s evolution, from receiver to quarterback, from role player to leader, includes adapting, improving, and learning how to handle the pressure that comes with taking the next step.