Ever since The Classical Academy (CO) launched its flag football program, Reagan Harter has been a key factor behind the Titans’ success.
But this season, the Harter name has become twice as dangerous.
Kennedy Harter, Reagan’s younger sister, joined the team as a freshman this fall. And together, the sisters have become one of the driving forces behind No. 14 The Classical Academy’s undefeated season and their top 15 ranking
“I’ve loved Reagan and the last two years we’ve really built our connection,” head coach Carly Callahan said. “Then I heard Kennedy was coming up this year and my immediate thought was, ‘Oh, look out. These two are going to be dangerous.’"
Dangerous is an understatement.
Between the Harter sisters, there is a leader in nearly every major statistical category. The two have combined for 42 of the Titans’ 72 touchdowns and 1,816 total yards of offense, helping The Classical Academy finish the regular season 15-0 and earn the No. 1 seed in the Class 4A playoffs.
“I just know that if they’re out there, things are going to be taken care of,” Callahan said.
For Kennedy, the path to flag football started with Reagan. Watching her older sister sparked an interest in the sport, and soon, she joined a team of her own.
“We would just go out in the street and throw the ball,” Kennedy said. “(Reagan) would come to my games and help me out and that’s when I started really enjoying playing.”
Now, those backyard sessions have translated to the field, where the sisters are helping lead the Titans to their best season since becoming a team.
The Titans will face Elizabeth in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs on Saturday, Oct. 17, looking to build on its success. The Classical Academy defeated Elizabeth 33-12 in their previous meeting this season.
Playing on the same team is nothing new for the Harters. Growing up in an athletic family, they played soccer and basketball together and also ran track. While Reagan continues to prioritize soccer, Kennedy has focused on basketball.
Flag football, however, is the sport that both sisters have a shared passion for.
“When my sister joined, it just felt like old times when we used to play club together,” Reagan said. “It's just been really fun playing with her.”
The sisters have different roles on the football field. Reagan plays receiver, defensive back and rusher. Kennedy plays running back and defensive back, while also getting opportunities at quarterback behind senior starter Kelsey Peterson.
So, rather than competing, the two find ways to push each other to be better.
“At practices or games, we’ve kind of built a system where I give her a little critique, but I also tell her what she’s doing good,” Reagan said.
Callahan, who has spent the past three years coaching the Titans, is another piece of that system. Since taking over as head coach this season, she has helped lead the team on the field while building a bond with the girls that helps fuel their success.
For the Harter sisters, that bond has made Callahan feel like family.
“Coach Carly has helped grow the sport with us,” Reagan said. “Her stepping up as head coach this year, it’s just been almost like she’s a sister.”
And the Harter sisters are just getting started. With Kennedy a freshman and Reagan a junior, the two have another season together on the horizon.
“It’s kind of crazy that I get to play with her,” Kennedy said. “I used to just watch her and now I get to play with her.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Double trouble: Sister duo powers nationally ranked flag football team's 15-0 run