‘It Means a Lot’: Coaches Welcome AHSAA Decision to Sanction Flag Football as a Championship Sport

Ally Perry

By Rubin E. Grant

When the Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board of Control recently voted to sanction girls flag football as a championship sport beginning with the 2024-25 and 2025-26 classification periods, it was welcomed news for the coaches at Hoover and Vestavia Hills.

“It means a lot,” Hoover coach Sabrina Jemison said. “It’s giving girls an opportunity to play something they enjoy and a chance to develop something great.”

“I think it’s a great move,” Vestavia Hills coach Debra Broome said. “Girls had longed to play football. Growing up, a lot of them played in the yard with boys.

“Flag football is a fast-paced game and so much fun. The girls run some of the same schemes and plays that boys do, and they’re getting to enjoy the benefits of playing on a team and the camaraderie.”

Flag Football, beginning its third year in the AHSAA this season, was boosted originally by the NFL’s support, especially the Atlanta Falcons. Currently 89 schools have declared girls’ flag football for the 2023 season.

The board also approved creating two classifications in each sport, Class 1A-5A and Class 6A-7A. 

“I think that’s better,” Jemison said. “A lot of times, the smaller schools don’t have as many girls as the larger schools, so breaking up the classes will be great.”

Two girls’ flag tournament championship games will be played this year at the AHSAA Super 7 Championships at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Dec. 6 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

Last season, when all the schools were grouped together, both Hoover and Vestavia Hills reached the semifinals.

Two of Hoover’s players, Kendall Anderson and Faith Daughtry, signed to play in college at Milligan University, a NAIA school in Tennessee. Anderson was linebacker and Daughtry was a cornerback/wide receiver.

The Bucs will have several new players this season.

“Each year we’ve had a lot of turnover,” Jemison said. “We have some girls who decide not to come back and others who are two-sport girls and decide to stick with the sport they will be getting a scholarship in.” 

Bella Paradise and Taylor Kindred will share the quarterback position for the Bucs this season, but Jemison said, “We’re definitely looking to see a few freshman girls grow in that spot.”

Because of the hot weather, Hoover won’t open the season until Sept. 27 at home with a tri-match against Smiths Station and Center Point.

The Bucs will play in Class 6A-7A Area 9 with Oak Mountain and Helena.

“It’s going to be a tough ride,” Jemison said. “I’m interested to see how it turns out. I’m getting our girls ready to play against anybody and play to our best.”

Vestavia Hills will play in Class 6A-7A Area 10 with Mountain Brook and Spain Park.

The Rebels will have a new quarterback with the graduation of Ella Gallaspy. Her twin sister, Abby, a linebacker, was also on the team.

“We’ll have a new quarterback, sophomore Julia Rose,” Broome said. “I think she’s going to be really good.

“We’ve got some good young talent, including a couple of freshmen. We also had two seniors come out, Maddie Hunsburger and Ari Katigbak.”

The Rebels will open their season Aug. 29 at Center Point.