Durant’s flag football team is rolling, even after losing key starters and dealing with a head coaching change. Part of the Lady Cougars’ success comes from the play of senior Ashley Piechowiak, a two-way player who went into Thursday’s game against Bloomingdale with 6 touchdown receptions and 6 interceptions on the season.
What first drew you to flag football?
I started my freshman year. I played varsity. It’s been a long journey. I think I’ve gotten better, the team’s gotten better, and we’ve gotten close.
How far have you seen this team come over the past four years?
We’ve had our good seasons and our bad seasons, but this season, I think it’s going to be really well. The team works well together. The quarterback (Megan Mooney), a sophomore, she just started. She’s been doing really good, really getting chemistry with the wide receivers and tight ends.
Last year was a senior-heavy team, and now it’s a very young team with four seniors. What’s it been like, helping the younger girls get better?
I feel like a role model because I’ve been here for four years, but they really look up to me. I’ve taken priority in making the team look up to me.
You all got off to a 4-1 start this season — not bad for a young team. What’s been the key to success?
I think defense has gone really well. We’ve shut them down, most of the time. It’s just not letting them score, making interceptions and pulling the flag the first time.
What’s the coolest thing you think you’ve ever done on a football field?
Well, I’m not really sure. I do a lot of long runs, and I make a lot of long catches. I feel like if I make a long catch and run it in for a touchdown, that’s pretty much the best achievement I’ve got.
What’s been your favorite moment of your flag football career?
A couple years ago, we beat Plant City, which is a big rival of ours.
Do you play any other sports?
I play soccer, too. All four years of high school.
Which do you prefer?
I like flag football more. I feel like there’s not a lot of cliques, like there was in soccer. Most players play for club teams, in soccer, so they have their own groups. In flag football, we don’t really have club teams, so we’re not really cliquey like in soccer.
What do you do for fun outside of those sports?
I like to go bowling. I’m in a league, actually, with my friends. Every Wednesday night, we go bowling, My average is 160, and my best game was a 234. It was a month ago, I think.
What’s your favorite subject in school?
I love math. I’m taking calculus right now. I want to be an engineer.
Do you know where you want to go to college?
Yeah, I’ve already decided: USF.
What are your favorite movies?
I like “Pirates of the Caribbean.” I like the Shrek movies — that’s my kid side.
Is there a sport you’ve never tried before, but always wanted to?
Volleyball … I played it eighth-grade year, at Turkey Creek Middle School. But I’m really inexperienced in that.
Who’s your favorite athlete of all time?
Probably Dirk Nowitzki. I don’t know — he has a cool name, and he has a cool shot.
Do you have a bond with other athletes with last names that people have a hard time pronouncing?
Oh yeah, definitely.
How do you pronounce your last name, for all of the readers who are going to have trouble with it?
Puh-ho-vee-ak.
What are some of your goals for this year?
I want to get some scholarships. That’ll help my college tuition. I just want to graduate. I’m just trying to get A’s in all of my classes, even though our GPAs are frozen. My GPA is a 5.5, right now.