Make no mistake, at her heart Alyssa Ramos is a hooper. But with the implementation of flag football for the fall season in 2024, she figured she’d try being a baller.
And what a baller she’s been.
Ramos has been a bit of a Swiss Army knife for the Doherty Spartans, helping her team claim the Southern Colorado League title on Thursday. The Spartans beat Vista Ridge 21-2 and then got a bit of payback from earlier in the season, topping TCA 13-7 to capture league gold.
And Ramos was everywhere. She moved the offense with runs and receptions. She scored touchdowns and she snagged interceptions. Her effort Thursday, and all season for that matter, is more than worth of Whataburger Athlete of the Week honors.
Not bad for a basketball player, all things considered.
“This is a whole different game than basketball,” Ramos said. “The speed is different. The whole mindset and having to be mentally strong with these games has been different than basketball. I mean, we’re playing in some crazy weather, especially for it being Colorado.”
When the league semifinal game against Vista Ridge began, the sun was shining and it felt like a typical fall afternoon. Before the final buzzer had sounded, the girls had survived a significant temperature drop and even a fast-moving rainstorm.
But there was no delay on the field which meant there’d be no delay in capturing the league crown.
Although she played softball earlier in her career, Ramos had been taking the fall off in order to prepare for a tough winter sports season. But when flag football was sanctioned by CHSAA last April, there was intrigue to join the team and be a part of something special. Heading into her senior year, she had just one shot at it and she jumped at the chance.
“[Softball] used to be my fall sport, but I wanted a break before basketball season,” Ramos said. “With this, I feel like it’s going to help me go into basketball season strong.”
Ramos was the leading rusher and receiver for the Spartans through the course of the season. Prior to Thursday’s games, she had rushed for 751 yards and 10 touchdowns and also caught 19 passes for 216 yards and five touchdowns.
She also recorded 47 tackles and nine interceptions on defense.
With playoff brackets coming out this weekend, there is no telling when the Spartans’ season will end. And once it does, Ramos will turn her focus to basketball and to where she might play hoops beyond high school. Her collegiate offers include Grandview University, Waldorf University and Peru State College.
She’ll have a big decision ahead of her at some point, but while relishing in the moment, she has no regrets about the decision to lace up her cleats and compete alongside her friends while they made history for Doherty.
And for other athletes in a similar spot, she would recommend that they make the same choice.
“Especially with this being a new sport,” Ramos said. “A lot of girls should get involved. Even if it’s not your primary sport, you can still have fun with it. So you should go for it.”
