Advertisement

Meet The Tuscaloosa News 2023 All-Area flag football team

Girls flag football continues to grow in Alabama.

In the Tuscaloosa area, 11 teams participated in 2023 — Hale County, Brookwood, Greensboro, Northside, Tuscaloosa County, Paul W. Bryant, Northside, Sipsey Valley, Central, Hillcrest and Holt.

Sipsey Valley's Rhian Scott earned play of the year honors for her performance in 2023. The senior, who is a two-way player, led Sipsey Valley to a playoff appearance.

Here is the complete 2023 Tuscaloosa News girls flag football all-area team.

Player of the year

Rhian Scott, Sipsey Valley, senior

Why chosen: Scott was a team captain and starter on both sides of the ball. In 2024, she scored four touchdowns and was named as the team's most valuable defensive player.

Sipsey Valley flag football's Rhian Scott
Sipsey Valley flag football's Rhian Scott

Coach of the year

Jacob Haas, Tuscaloosa County

Why chosen: Haas wrapped up his third year at the helm of the Tuscaloosa County girls flag football team, and in three years, his team has won 33 out of its last 36 games. He has helped see the sport grow tremendously in three years at TCHS and has led the team to continued success.

Macy Hudgins

Tuscaloosa County, senior

Why chosen: Hudgins wrapped up her senior season with 33 touchdowns.

Breona Walker

Tuscaloosa County, senior

Why chosen: Led team with 10 interceptions and 18 touchdowns.

Shokendria Burrell

Tuscaloosa County, senior

Why chosen: Burrel led the Tuscaloosa County team in tackles with 130.

Mackenzie Nece

Hillcrest, senior

Why chosen: Nece was a member of Hillcrest's inaugural flag football team but had to sit out due to tearing her ACL. This season, she led the team in touchdowns, receiving yards and interceptions.

Alana Cornish

Northridge, sophomore

Why chosen: Cornish had 17 total touchdowns and/or extra point conversions and four interceptions in 2023.

Jalyn Copeland

Northridge, senior

Why chosen: Copeland finished her senior season with 10 total touchdowns and/or extra point conversions along with eight interceptions, returning two of those for touchdowns.

BEST MOMENTS FROM SUPER 7: What was the best moment from the Super 7 AHSAA football championships? Our experts discuss

WHERE COULD FLAG FOOTBALL GO? Where can high school flag football go in Alabama after strong first three seasons

Ceaira Wine

Northridge, sophomore

Why chosen: Wine recorded 12 total touchdowns and/or extra point conversions in 2023 along with two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and 13 defensive stops for no gain or a loss.

Avery Vick

Northridge, senior

Why chosen: Vick finished the 2023 season with 23 defensive stops for no gain or loss along with one interception.

Ky'Asia Tinker

Northridge, junior

Why chosen: Despite having to miss five games due to injury, Tinker finished the 2023 season with eight total touchdowns or extra point conversions, along with three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and 10 defensive stops for no gain or a loss.

The 2023 Northridge girls flag football team
The 2023 Northridge girls flag football team

Haley Templeton

Northside, junior

Why chosen: Templeton served as Northside's team captain in 2023 and finished the season with 78 tackles and one interception on defense along with 91 receptions and 11 touchdowns on offense.

Jasmine Dunn

Brookwood, senior

Why chosen: Dunn, a Brookwood team leader, finished the 2023 season with nine all-purpose touchdowns and 24 sacks, and was the team leader in flags pulled, touchdowns, sacks and quarterback pressures. Coach Clancy Bryant said she played almost every snap on both sides of the ball and was a difference maker in every aspect.

Cynia Spraggins

Brookwood, freshman

Why chosen: The freshman recorded six interceptions, one of those returned for a touchdown, along with four offensive touchdowns. She was the team leader in pass breakups, and coach Clancy Bryant said she is a lockdown cornerback and speedy receiver who made an impact all over the field.

Trinity Hood

Central, senior

Why chosen: Hood recorded 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2023.

Taniyah Richardson

Central, senior

Why chosen: Richardson finished the 2023 season with three touchdowns along with leading the team in tackles for loss and sacks. She recorded 52 sacks in three years.

Kayori Ryan

Central, junior

Why chosen: Ryan will be the first lady that will play four years with Central Flag Football, and she also led the team in touchdowns, total yards and yardage per game in 2023. Central coach Dennis Conner said she is able to play any position on the field.

Tuscaloosa County girls flag football coach Jacob Haas, the coach of the year, coaching quarterback Macy Hudgins
Tuscaloosa County girls flag football coach Jacob Haas, the coach of the year, coaching quarterback Macy Hudgins

Anna Snyder covers high school sports and University of Alabama recruiting for The Tuscaloosa News. Reach her at asnyder@gannett.com. Follow her on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @annaesnyder2

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Meet The Tuscaloosa News All-Area girls flag football team for 2023