AURORA – Northfield High School has continued its rapid rise as one of the top emerging programs in Colorado football, clinching its second-consecutive postseason berth. The Nighthawks’ success is built on discipline, teamwork, and a resilient mindset that has quickly turned the program into a playoff mainstay and a source of pride for the Northfield community.
For her leadership and the Nighthawks’ impressive success, head coach Rebecca Hopeck has been named CHSAA’s Denver Broncos Flag Football Coach of the Week.
Throughout the season, a Broncos Coach of the Week will be selected for both tackle football and flag football. Then, at every Broncos home game, during a pregame on-field recognition ceremony, the Denver Broncos will celebrate a group of these Coach of the Week honorees.
Q&A with Northfield Head Coach Rebecca Hopeck
Q: You have a unique perspective as both a player and coach. How has your own playing experience influenced the way you prepare your athletes for moments like the playoffs?
The most important thing, especially in girls sports but really in any sport, is mental readiness. Going into the postseason with the belief that you can win is huge. We’ve really focused on getting the girls mentally prepared for the toughness and challenges they’ll face. We’ve had to do that this season, especially after losing our starting quarterback to injury when we were 9-2. Since then, we’ve been filling positions, trying new people in new spots, and seeing what our depth looks like. Above all, preparation starts with the mental side—believing in yourself and being ready to respond to adversity.
Q: How would you describe your coaching style, and what values have you emphasized most as you’ve helped build this program from the ground up?
I would describe my coaching style in one word: inclusion. From the beginning, this program was built on fun, teamwork, and making sure everyone feels valued. We started flag football to give girls a place to belong, whether they were cut from another sport or just looking for something new. Even if a player isn’t on the field, I want them engaged—helping call plays, cheering, keeping stats, or working concessions. Everyone has a role, and everyone matters. I also have to credit my assistant coaches. They’ve been with me the past two years and have been incredible in helping us grow both offensively and defensively.
Q: How did you first get involved with Northfield’s flag football team, and what inspired you to take on the challenge of leading a new program?
Originally, the Broncos reached out to several Denver high schools to see who was interested in starting girls flag football programs. A colleague at Northfield approached me and said, “You’ve played flag football, want to give this a shot?” He told me he wanted women’s sports to be led by women and offered to be my assistant coach. I thought that was incredibly empowering, especially in such a male-dominated sport. That was four years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Q: This is only Northfield’s second year with a flag football program, and you’re heading back to the postseason. What does it mean to see the team reach this point so early in its journey?
It means so much. We graduated 10 seniors last year, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. But we’ve had a wave of young talent come in, over half of our roster is freshmen. That’s partly thanks to the middle schools now having flag football programs, so the girls come in with fundamentals already in place. They know how to catch, how to pull flags, and they understand the basics. That foundation has made a big difference in helping us get back to the playoffs so quickly.
Q: This week you face Denver South in the second round of the playoffs, a team you’ve already seen twice this season. What’s been your focus in preparing for that matchup?
Denver South is strong, fast, and well-coached. We know that. Half of our team are freshmen, and our current quarterback had never played before this year. So again, it comes down to mental preparation. We’re studying film, designing new plays, and looking at new defensive looks. It’s tough to implement big changes this late, but we know creativity and adaptability will be key if we want to compete with them.
Q: From year one to year two, what kind of growth have you seen in your players that’s helped put you in this playoff position?
The growth has been tremendous, even if it’s not always linear. Some days they’ll make incredible reads or adjustments we never even discussed, and the next play they’ll make a basic mistake we’ve practiced for months. That’s part of the learning curve, especially with such a young team. But their confidence, understanding of the game, and ability to communicate on the field have all improved so much. Our injured quarterback, Ale Garcia, was amazing at reading defenses and making adjustments on the fly. Seeing younger players start to develop that same awareness has been really rewarding.
Q: What have been some of the most defining moments of this season that showed the program’s growth?
I’d say our rematch with Denver South. The first time we played them, they dominated, and our girls got discouraged. Heads went down, and they gave up. Fast forward two months, and when we faced them again, it was completely different. Even though we were still down a quarterback, they kept fighting. We scored late in the game, and the energy was electric. The result wasn’t just about the scoreboard, it was about attitude. They didn’t quit, and that shift in mindset showed just how far we’ve come.
Q: Flag football has exploded in popularity across Colorado. What makes this sport so special to you, and what do you think it offers young athletes that’s different from other sports?
I first discovered flag football after college, when I moved to St. Louis and didn’t know anyone. A group of women invited me to play, and I instantly fell in love with the game. It gave me a community, confidence, and friendships that have lasted more than 20 years. That’s what I want for these girls, a sense of belonging and empowerment. There’s also something really powerful about equality in this sport. When our girls get to play in the stadium, wear their jerseys, and represent their school, you can see how proud they are. They’re not just the flag football team, they’re the football team. That means something.
Q: What do you hope your players take away from their time in this program, on and off the field?
I hope they walk away with confidence, resilience, and the knowledge that they can be part of something bigger than themselves. I want them to understand the game, to watch football with their families, and to know what’s happening. But more than that, I want them to develop grit. We talk about the difference between being hurt and being injured, sometimes you’ve got to push through the tough days, balance your schedule, and show up for your team. Those lessons carry far beyond football.
