Flag football is one of the fastest growing girls high school sports in the country, and the Greater Savannah area has been a hotbed of talent since the sport was sanctioned by the GHSA in 2020, when Calvary Day was one of the first state champions to be crowned.
The Cavaliers have been state contenders ever since, and New Hampstead has also become one of the strongest programs in Georgia. Jenkins and South Effingham have also emerged as teams ready to make deep postseason runs this year. The playoffs start on Dec. 5.
Just up Highway 16, Southeast Bulloch has set the standard in Georgia as the top team in the state. The Yellow Jackets have won three straight state titles and entered the week without ever losing a game -- on a run of 74 consecutive victories.
In the Savannah area, Jenkins has established itself as a team on the rise. The Warriors reached the second round of the GHSA Division I playoffs last season. This year, Jenkins has wins over Calvary Day and New Hampstead. The Warriors sit atop Area 3 Division 2 standings with a 12-2 record and a 7-0 mark in area play.
The Warriors are led by A'Niyah Browner, who leads the team in rushing and receiving, while anchoring the defense at linebacker. Sophomore quarterback I'Yarna Lee is also playing well along with Keara Jones and Aliyah Frazier.
Jenkins alum Brianna Brooker, who has been the head girls basketball coach since 2019, is in her third season leading the flag football program -- with the majority of her flag players also playing on her basketball squad.
"I didn't really know a lot about flag football, but I'm just really pro girls sports," Brooker said. "I saw the opportunity for my girls to show off their athleticism and thrive in a new sport. And they realize there are opportunities to have a chance to play it at the next level if they want."
Brooker said the wins over Calvary Day and New Hampstead meant a lot to her team, because the Warriors hadn't beaten those teams in the past. Jenkins lost last week to New Hampstead 7-0 in a non-region matchup and fell to South Effingham 19-12 on the same day.
"We've trained really hard this season and it's paid off," Brooker said. "The girls love to compete and this is a chance for them to get their names out there. We're looking to make a playoff run.
New Hampstead reached the Division I state semifinals last year, where the Phoenix gave SE Bulloch a tough battle in a 20-12 setback.
The Phoenix are 12-1 on the season, with their only loss coming in their first matchup with Jenkins in a 15-12 setback.
Senior Gianna Brown, who has committed to play flag football at Emmanuel University, is one of the top players in the state. The Phoenix have a star-studded lineup that include Taliyah Headman, Promise Cooper, Jade Bird and new quarterback Mila Cramer.
The Phoenix have won seven in a row since the loss to Jenkins and look primed for another playoff run.
The Cavs are playing a rugged schedule and entered the week with a record of 13-5, with local losses coming in an 18-13 setback against Jenkins and a 6-0 loss to New Hampstead.
The Cavs are blessed with talent. Senior Abby Walsh, who is also a star soccer player committed to Kennesaw State in that sport, has done it all for Calvary. She has thrown for 970 yards and 20 touchdowns and has rushed for 147 yards and two scores with 117 yards receiving and another touchdown.
Freshman Page Stewart is also seeing time behind center and has been excellent with 1,287 yards through the air and 20 touchdown passes.
Scarlett Jackson leads the team in rushing with 547 yards rushing and five touchdowns and also has 46 catches for 632 yards and 11 more scores. Sierra Lowery has 64 catches for 530 yards and 10 touchdowns, with nine interceptions, and Natalie Sanders has 39 grabs for 618 yards and 10 scores in the explosive passing offense. Tatiyana Modicue is a leader of the defense as the linebacker has six picks and 50 flags pulled.
The Mustangs are in first place in Area 1 Division 3 with an overall record of 10-3, and a 5-0 mark in area play.
South Effingham played SE Bulloch tough in a 14-6 setback and also lost to McDonough and New Hampstead in a 20-0 loss.
Quarterback Arden Thompson has thrown for 1,693 yards with 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Malaya Signal has 24 receptions for 443 yards and 11 touchdowns, while freshman Karianna Dorsey has 41 catches for 368 yards and six scores.
Sophomore Morgan Hetzel leads the defense with eight interceptions and senior Allie Grassi leads the team with 49 flags pulled and 31 sacks.
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at [email protected]. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN