Quarterback and sophomore Alondra Hernandez has learned to turn pressure into poise as she navigates her role during her debut season on the flag football team (2-18). Taking on this position, Hernandez has demonstrated both determination and leadership according to her teammates and coaches.
“I’m the person that throws the ball to one of the receivers on the field,” Hernandez said. “My responsibilities are to lead the group and make sure that we’re all doing good, and to make the right plays and the right decisions.
As a quarterback, she is in charge of keeping her teammates coordinated on and off the field. By leading the group huddles or determining a play at a crucial moment, she knows how to handle the fast-paced nature of the game, according to Hernandez.
“I like that you have to make fast deci
sions,” Hernandez said. “Although it’s stressful, at the end of the day it’s fun, and you can learn from it.”
Hernandez volunteered to be a quarterback during flag football’s summer camp, where her natural leadership and confidence stood out to the coaches, according to head coach Julie Primero.
“We were looking for someone to take the role,” Primero said. “She just fit what we were looking for. So then it was just a matter of developing her skills and knowledge set.”
Going into the position with limited knowledge of the game, Hernandez made countless improvements throughout the season, including building confidence, leadership and technical skills. Most importantly, she managed to earn her team’s trust through dedication at practices and encouragement during games, according to Primero.
“The position is kind of built in leadership,” Primero said. “With Alondra, she’s only a sophomore, so I think it’s something that she’s kind of learning as she goes. Especially at the middle to
the end of the season, she took more of a leadership role of telling her receivers where to go. When there were other quarterbacks in, she would give them encouragement.”
However, being a quarterback comes with its own set of challenges, as the role includes juggling the responsibilities that accompany leading offensive plays. Quarterbacks simultaneously communicate strategy to the team, dodge defenders and execute precise throws.
“I think she’s still growing, and I feel like her confidence is getting better,” Primero said. “It’s the hardest position to play, because it really does hurt your confidence. Everything goes through you.”
Throughout the season, Hernandez overcame and embraced these challenges through her unwavering dedication to improving her technique, working on her throws, communication, and plays.
“I would go out with my teammates and friends to the park and throw during the weekends and days we didn’t have practice,” Hernandez said. “It made my performance in the game better because it made my arm stronger.”
Outside of flag football, Hernandez is also part of Portola High’s softball team, in which she plays in both the shortstop and outfield positions. Hernandez is able to take her skills from her soft
ball experience and incorporate them into flag football, enhancing her performance on the field.
“The similar aspects of softball and flag football is that you always need to plan ahead and be prepared for anything that can happen,” Hernandez said. “Softball has helped me be a decent quarterback because when playing outfield in softball it does require to throw longer which is the same when throwing the football.”
As the flag football season comes to an end, Hernandez remains determined to build on her skills and deepen her understanding of the game, setting her sights on the future.
“My goals for next season are to learn even more and be a better leader for the team,” Hernandez said.
