Wootton's varsity flag football team finished its second season without a win, going 0-11 including a one-point playoff loss.

The Patriots fell 13-12 to Northwest in the Maryland 4A/3A West II regional quarterfinal on Oct. 21, according to MaxPreps. That game capped a season in which the program shrank from 30 players to 16 but held together through team dinners, a laser tag outing and the leadership of three senior captains.

Skylar Wade, Eldawit Abebe and Chinenyenwa "Chichi" Achor kept the locker room together even as losses mounted, Common Sense, Wootton's student newspaper, reported Oct. 26. The three led game-day chants and served as go-betweens with coaches and referees on behalf of younger teammates.

The losing streak wore on the roster. Achor told Common Sense that fewer players showed up to practice as the season went on, especially when teammates juggled flag football with other activities.

Still, the captains found ways to keep the group close. Abebe scored a touchdown against Richard Montgomery, a bright spot the team celebrated during a difficult stretch.

The program launched two years ago and won six games in its first season, according to Common Sense. This year the roster dropped nearly in half, but the team added a second coach. "This year, we are more of a team, because most of us know the sport really well and have been playing for more than a year or two," Achor told the student paper.

Freshman Aria Purser, new to the program, said the environment stayed welcoming despite the record. She told Common Sense the team plans more intense and intentional practices heading into next season. Players also said they hope to train during the offseason and hold each other accountable.

The 2026 season marked the first year girls flag football carried full MPSSAA sanction in Maryland, with the number of participating schools growing to roughly 132, according to Sports Illustrated's high school coverage. State championship games are scheduled for Nov. 17 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Wootton's schedule listed 10 regular-season opponents across Montgomery County, including a Sept. 26 trip to Churchill.