Doherty flag football coach Rodney Pierson couldn’t have chosen a better code word for the Spartans’ 5A state playoff game against Legacy on Wednesday. 

Believe. 

Up by less than a touchdown to begin the second half, Doherty junior quarterback Nelah Thompson threw an interception, ending a promising drive. Thompson kept on believing and hit senior receiver Jada Symons on two big throws later in the half. The second went for a 53-yard score to secure the Spartans’ 25-21 win over Legacy at home for the first playoff victory in program history. 

Girls flag football had its first official season under the Colorado High School Activities Association last year. Also for the first time, Thompson felt the sting of a postseason defeat as Doherty was knocked out of the 5A tournament in the second round by Douglas County. The Spartans were a high enough seed to earn a first-round bye.

This year, Doherty entered the postseason as the 14th seed, hosting 19th 19th-seeded Legacy out of Broomfield. Thompson led her team to victory, accounting for four touchdowns, adding three on the ground on top of the long bomb to Symons. 

“(This win) means a lot. It’s a statement, it really is a statement. Especially for younger generations coming to Doherty and just being a family, a new program. It’s a statement, Colorado Springs, you know,” she said. 

The game appeared to be headed for a blowout after Doherty scored on its first two drives while Legacy didn’t earn more than a single first down on its. Thompson rushed for touchdowns on both, but she was set up by senior running back Sontee Keys, who had a long run in the first drive, and junior Bella Marquez, who converted a crucial catch and run on fourth down to put Doherty near the goal line on the second. 

“Bella, Sontee and Nelah, they were here last year and so they got to up and experience the playoffs when we (lost) against Douglas County and they knew our word was ‘gotta believe that we’re gonna come out here and get it done and defend our home turf’,” Pierson said. 

After going up 12-0, Doherty began to falter on both sides of the ball. Legacy scored on a two-play drive late in the half, and the Spartans’ ensuing offensive possession ended in disaster. Doherty committed three penalties on the drive, the third resulting in a safety. 

Pierson was beside himself at the mistakes his girls were making, but the mandate to believe runs both ways. Marquez told him to settle down and reassured him that the Spartans would overcome the adversity. 

“My history is on the boys sideline and so it’s different, you know that,” Pierson said with a chuckle. “One of my junior captains, No. 4 Bella Marquez, she does (calm me down). We work very much in tandem and she chills me out, and I help get them excited. Being out here with these girls is the joy of my life.”

Marquez and the Spartans kept their end of the bargain. Doherty ended its woes in the third quarter, forcing a quick three and out from Legacy following the interception. Thompson then found Symons on a 25-yard pass to set the Spartans up at the goal line. Thompson scored her third rushing touchdown and let a joyful yell in the end zone as Doherty extended its lead. 

Symons wasn’t with Thompson, Keys or Marquez last year. In fact, the senior is a first-year player, but she has the belief of a four-year varsity starter and that’s what matters.  

“I know my receiver, I know I can trust her, I know I can launch it up there and she’s going to fight for it,” Thompson said. “I felt confident throwing it and she’s just quick.”

Doherty returns to the second round of the 5A playoffs Saturday, facing third-seeded Legend.