2017-18 Cheyenne Flag Football Capsule

Head coach: Anthony Johnson, fifth season

2016-17 record: 12-5 (8-0 Sunset, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Ten (eight)

Top players: QB/S E’Leseana Patterson (So.), DL Kiantera Neal (Sr.), WR/S El’Heaven Hunt (Sr.)

Outlook: The Desert Shields return eight starters from last year’s Class 3A state championship team.

Patterson (1,597 yards passing, 23 touchdowns; 1,212 yards rushing, 12 TDs) is back to guide the offense. Neal (78 tackles, 15 sacks) is expected to be among the leaders on defense.

“My girls are excited to get back on the field,” Johnson said. “They are motivated and hungry. We have a lot of new girls that came out and ready to play. We will be tested early in the preseason to give the new girls some experience.

“After winning state last year and losing a lot of seniors, we have big shoes to fill, so we still have some unfinished business to take care of.”