With flag football teams from all over the world in town for the National Flag Championships at Grand Park in Westfield, the IFFCA was able to showcase the state’s top talent in its inaugural girls flag football North/South All-Star Game, with the South squad taking the win, 22-12.
It was a slow start for both teams early on, with both teams exchanging defensive stands before Cassidy Kearney found Breanna Hampton across the middle for the first score of the game to see the South take an 8-0 lead.
The short throw was the first of two touchdowns for Kearney, a Saginaw Valley State commit, en route to nabbing game MVP with 192 yards and a defensive interception to pair with 23 rushing yards.
“I’ve only played quarterback one game this season and had three yards,” Kearney said. “I was thrown in there because our quarterback had dropped out, and I was the best thrower. I threw a lot of interceptions during practice that helped iron out the kinks.”
After Mary Stack found Jaslynn Sanchez for North right before halftime to make it 8-6, the South squad started to take over defensively in the second half. A pick-six by Kloe Klein gave them a commanding 15-6 lead while Kearney got an interception herself on the following drive.
A few drives later, Kearney found Addison Collins for her second touchdown of the game to go up 22-6. While the North would make it interesting with a quick response on a deep shot to Da’Niyah Johnson in the waning minutes of the game, a third interception by the South defense cemented the win with just under a minute to play.
As girls’ flag reaches 100 participating schools going into the upcoming season, it is only a matter of time before the sport becomes sanctioned by the IHSAA after this group of all-stars, from both teams, laid the foundation for generations to come.
“This was fun,” Keaney said. “I worked in season, and that’s gotten me to where I am (today) playing in college, and that helps open the door of possibilities for (the future flag players). I feel like I’m making history within myself, and I’m also setting a great example for the young girls. (They) can do this and go farther than I can.”
