The Hammond Lady Bears have taken their first few steps into the flag football program as they end the season with a 0-12 record, the losing streak testing their determination and love for the sport.

For a team learning the game from the ground up, what started out as a brand new chapter for the Lady Bears quickly became a test of their grit.

The Lady Bears stepped onto the field week after week knowing what they faced, yet they kept showing up. That says a lot about the program and the foundation they are building for the up-and-coming future.

Even though the team started off slow, by midseason they were stronger and sharper than ever. Defensive assignments were clearer, and players who had never played organized football started to understand the game more.

The record is honest, and the players do not shy away from it. They know what it felt like to walk off the field after a hard-fought game without a victory, but only their skill and improvement to show for it.

Starting freshman Reygan Jackson captured the spirit of the group, reflecting on the season, saying, “I felt proud of myself and the team, and I am grateful.” The Lady Bears put together a hard-fought defensive effort. Reygan Jackson said, “As a team, we did well, and even though we didn’t win, we still strived through the game with a positive mindset and kept going. Overall, I think we as a team played well.” The effort and attitude she described were very much visible all through the season

Looking forward, Jackson already knows what she wants to bring into next year: “I can carry on more encouragement towards my teammates and more of my mindset focused on the game and other things,” she said. Focusing on lifting others up while staying locked in is exactly the kind of leadership a young program needs.

Beyond the field, the players learned to be patient, and they learned success doesn’t come overnight, but it comes over the course of years, and they are just the start of something great.

Several flag football players talked about how the sport taught them accountability.

Looking ahead, the program is already stronger than the record suggests. Returning players now understand the speed of the game, and incoming players will have a clear understanding of the expectations.

Next year, the Lady Bears won’t be starting from scratch; they will be building on a 12-game season filled with losses that will help build their grit.

The 0-12 season will not be remembered as a failure; it will be remembered as the year the ladies decided the scoreboard would not define them. The first few steps were difficult, but they were taken with a purpose to make the next step easier, and the future already looks promising because of it.

The Lady Bears are looking forward to a better next season, hoping to improve their record and change the culture.

GO BEARS