Abby Gregory's two pick-6s add to Division's flag-football victory over MacArthur
Abby Gregory #13 of Division celebrates after scoring with her teammates Gabby Raia #5 and Rebecca Petrellese #17 during the flag football game against MacArthur in Levittown, NY on May 9, 2025. Credit: Anna Sergeeva
With the game scoreless midway through the first half and MacArthur driving deep into Division territory, Abby Gregory changed everything with a highlight-reel pick six.
And then she did it again.
The junior wide receiver and cornerback turned defense into instant offense twice in one of the most electrifying flag football performances of the Nassau B/C season, leading visiting Division to a 22-0 victory over MacArthur on Friday.
“It was my best moment in flag football,” Gregory said.
Reading the quarterback’s eyes and jumping the route, she picked off a pass at the 13-yard line and returned it 67 yards, flying past two defenders for a stunning interception return.
“We watched their film, so I knew they don’t usually throw to that side,” Gregory said. “I also saw that the receiver just stopped and so I took my opportunity and ran for it. It was unbelievable.”
Just three plays later, she struck again, this time snagging a tipped ball and sprinting 18 yards to the end zone to make it 12-0 with 4:47 left in the first half.
“I can't say I’m surprised because she is one of our fastest and smartest defenders,” coach Victoria Piscitelli said. “It was the greatest thing to watch.”
Division (11-1) forced a MacArthur (11-2) three-and-out on the following drive thanks to a sack by Denise Motes. The offense capitalized immediately with a 25-yard touchdown run by senior Eleni Georgatos on a dive play. Quarterback Ava Hunt, who completed six of 10 passes for 38 yards, found Georgatos from the 10-yard line for the two-point conversion and a 20-0 lead with 1:49 left.
“I wasn’t expecting to get through so many girls,” Georgatos said. “I just kept going and kept trying to dodge them to get to the end zone.”
Ashley Anderson added an interception for Division before halftime and Shirley Zhirzhan sealed the dominant defensive showing by pulling quarterback Gina Iannuzzi's flag in the end zone for a safety midway through the second half, extending the lead to 22-0.
“We were very nervous, but we’ve been working so hard this season and knew this was our moment to make a statement,” senior wide receiver Rebecca Petrellese said.
MacArthur’s 10-game winning streak was snapped and Division extended its own streak to 10 victories.
“We knew this game was going to be big for us as a team, so we trained and prepared hard and it paid off,” Hunt said. “It’s an incredible confidence boost and we can’t wait for playoffs.”
