NorthWood Unified Flag Football Brings Athletes Together
There are many lessons in life that extend well beyond the walls of a classroom. Once the rigors of academics are complete for the day, students often seek out ways to connect with their peers through shared interests. From music to theater, and from art to athletics, there are many unique ways to find common ground and ultimately, lasting friendships. And it takes a special group of people to come together in a well-designed way to become mentors, leaders and teammates all at the same time.
At NorthWood High School in Nappanee, the Unified Flag Football Team is exactly one such group. What makes this group “unified” in both name and spirit? Just ask the new coach of the 2025 season, Rod Lone.
Lone, a longtime educator and coach of several sports at NorthWood, is exceptionally suited for, and equally excited by, the privilege of coaching a squad of multi-faceted athletes. The Unified team is made up of traditional athletes who are paired with athletes who have special needs.
“It’s a great way to get these kids together to compete. Our team is very diverse,” Lone says. “I’ve been a football coach prior to this, and it was just great timing and a great opportunity.”
Prior to the start of the school year, Lone organized a parent-teacher call-out meeting to talk about the Unified Flag Football Team and outlined the goals and expectations for the new season. The support of the students was evident from the start, as a wealth of willing scholars stepped up, representing every sport from cross country to soccer.
Team participants enrolled in NorthWood’s Young Adult Program, which is tailored to those with a specific academic curriculum, can be a part of the team for four years, plus one additional year post-graduation.
Flag football is a non-contact sport, which makes it a safer option for those who want to be immersed in the fundamentals of football. For example, there is stationary screen blocking, as opposed to moving blocks. There are also no punts, kickoffs or returns of fumbles or interceptions.
The competition brings forth its own level of tenacity and the fierceness of a true Panther athlete. It has been an inspirational venture for Lone, bolstered by the outpouring of enthusiasm from the Wa-Nee community. Lone created a Facebook post just before the start of the school year noting that the program was facing a financial shortage, with zero dollars in the team budget. Within days, the goal of $1,000 was not only reached, but surpassed.
While this marks Lone’s first year of leading the Unified Flag Football Team, the 2025 season is the third consecutive year for the sport. The NorthWood team is IHSAA affiliated, which adds an extra element of reverence to the program. There are a number of returning athletes this season. Lone is eager to put his skill set into practice.
“I’ve worked in adaptive physical education before, but I’ve never had an opportunity to apply that to a sport until now,” he says.
When all is said and done, and the game is left on the field, it’s about so much more than wins and losses.
“Everyone is cheering everyone else on,” Lone says. “The kids are learning about leadership, working with their abilities and empathy, and the athletes are all smiles. They are just so happy to be there.”
To learn more about how to donate to the Unified Flag Football program at NorthWood High School, call 574-773-4127. Funds raised for the team go toward incentives, team supplies, equipment and other necessities. Checks can be sent to NorthWood High School Athletics, with Unified Football in the memo line. All donations are tax deductible, and donors receive appropriate paperwork for tax purposes. Donations can also be dropped off at the school, located at 2101 North Main St., Nappanee, IN 46550.
NorthWood Unified Flag Football Roster – 2025
Chloe Davidhizer – Senior
Naima Ghaffar – Senior
Tytus Noyes – Senior
Sophia Hershberger – Junior
Caiden Housley – Junior
Kylie Porter – Junior
Deven Miller – Sophomore
Bridget Parvu-Timmer – Sophomore
Tyson Frost – Freshman
Ashlyn Jaeger – Freshman
Elijah Mast – Freshman
Anthony Noyes – Freshman
Bryce Clark – Young Adult Program
Gavin Rider – Young Adult Program
Brooklyn Sherer – Young Adult Program
