The future of girls' flag football in Savannah was on full display this weekend.
Big plays. Big energy. College coaches are watching from the sidelines. And when it was all over Sunday afternoon at the Jennifer Ross Soccer Complex, Calvary Day walked away as champions after defeating Richmond Hill 19-6 in the championship game of the fourth annual Intercoastal Athletics Summer Sizzler Tournament.
You could feel the intensity from the first whistle.
Players and coaches from Calvary Day School celebrate after winning the Summer Sizzler girls flag football championship in Savannah. (Prep Sports Report photo)
Even with the summer heat pounding down across Savannah, players kept flying around the field making plays for two straight days. Coaches were coaching. Families were cheering. And the sport itself just kept getting bigger.
Calvary Day’s defense helped set the tone in the title game, led by Riley Grassi, who came away with four interceptions during the championship matchup. Julianna Kitchen and Paige Stewart also helped lead the Cavaliers during a strong weekend run against some of the top programs in the area.
Calvary Day School standout Riley Grassi makes one of her four interceptions during the Summer Sizzler championship game against Richmond Hill High School. Grassi also caught a touchdown pass in the victory. (Prep Sports Report photo)
And it was not just local teams making noise.
According to tournament organizer and Calvary Day coach JoJo Newton, the event featured 8 high school and 6 middle school teams. The high school division included programs from Calvary Day School, Savannah High, Savannah Country Day, Richmond Hill, Langston Hughes, Groves High School, and Columbus Flag who entered two teams.
“This is the fourth year of the tournament,” Newton said. “Being able to host and have teams come visit Savannah means a lot. We put on a good tournament, and we have high-level play out here.”
That reputation continues to grow.
Newton said the chance to compete in Savannah, combined with strong competition and organization, keeps bringing schools back year after year.
The event also gave athletes a rare opportunity during the offseason to get valuable reps in front of college coaches. Newton said several college programs attended the tournament to evaluate talent.
“Flag football is growing, but we still don’t always get a lot of extra work,” Newton said. “Being able to host this tournament and get girls exposure in front of college coaches is huge.”
College coaches from programs included Savannah College of Art and Design, the University of West Alabama, LaGrange, and Brewton-Parker were in attendance watching players compete throughout the weekend.
For local colleges, the event was also about keeping Savannah talent close to home.
College coaches from programs across the Southeast spent the weekend evaluating talent at the Summer Sizzler, including those from the University of West Alabama, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Brewton-Parker.
SCAD first-year head coach Christian Orth said tournaments like this are important because they allow coaches to see athletes compete in real game situations while also helping grow the sport across the region.
“It’s always great to stay in Savannah and watch the girls compete,” Orth said. “It’s always great trying to immerse ourselves in the community and keep the best talent in Savannah close to home.”
University of West Alabama coach Ben White, who has coached in the Savannah area for years, at Calvary Day and the FCA flag program, said the local talent level continues to impress college recruiters.
“I’ve worked in Savannah for 20 years, so I know the talent that’s in my backyard,” White said. “There’s a lot of talent in Savannah, and events like this help players get exposure and opportunities to play at the next level.”
“It’s always exciting to come down here and see girls competing and making plays,” Brewton Parker Head Coach Sheldon Miller said. “There’s a lot of talent in the Savannah area.” Miller also noted that his program already has players from Savannah and wants to continue building relationships and keeping local talent close to home as girls' flag football continues to grow across Georgia.
Richmond Hill coach Tony Dragon said events like this help programs continue building chemistry and identity before the fall season officially arrives.
“It’s a good opportunity for the older girls and younger girls to be on the field together,” Dragon said. “The older girls are taking leadership roles, and it’s helping us.”
Players and coaches from Richmond Hill High School pose with the runner-up trophy after the Summer Sizzler girls flag football tournament championship game in Savannah. (Prep Sports Report photo)
Dragon also pointed to Jordan Bennett as a player stepping up after mainly playing JV football last season.
“She came out of the blue for us this weekend,” Dragon said. “She’s running the ball really well.”
Even after falling in the championship game, Richmond Hill continued showing why the Wildcats remain one of the top programs in the area.
Savannah High coach Shaquanda Middleton said events like the Summer Sizzler help programs evaluate strengths and weaknesses before the regular season while also giving girls more opportunities through the growing sport.
“It gives us time to do homework on what we need to work on,” Middleton said. “The biggest thing for me is fundamentals and building the culture of the team.”
Savannah High defender chases down a Columbus quarterback during Summer Sizzler girls flag football tournament action at the Jennifer Ross Soccer Complex in Savannah. (Prep Sports Report photo)
Middleton, who did not have girls flag football opportunities when she was younger, said it’s exciting to see athletes now having another avenue to compete and potentially earn college scholarships.
“It gives girls another opportunity to go to college and not have to pay out of pocket,” Middleton said.
And honestly, seeing Calvary Day and Richmond Hill battling again felt normal at this point.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Calvary Day’s Paige Stewart said about facing Richmond Hill again in another big game. “Competition.”
Calvary Day School quarterback/ tournament MVP Paige Stewart scrambles during the Summer Sizzler girls flag football tournament against Columbia at the Jennifer Ross Soccer Complex in Savannah. (Prep Sports Report photo)
Stewart said one of the Cavaliers' biggest strengths right now is their support for one another.
“Even if we mess up, we still keep each other hyped up,” Stewart said. “We always support each other.”
That culture showed all weekend long.
For Grassi, the championship run was about toughness and resilience. The Cavaliers battled through heat, fatigue, and limited numbers while continuing to make plays when it mattered most.
“We were very short on both sides,” Grassi said. “But it showed a lot of resilience.”
Calvary Day School receiver Julianna Kitchen stretches across the goal line for a touchdown against Richmond Hill High School during the Summer Sizzler championship game in Savannah. (Prep Sports Report photo)
And while Grassi smiled, talking about his daughter Riley’s four interceptions in the title game, the proud father also sounded like a football coach.
“She just did her job,” Grassi said. “When you’ve got your best players out there, they stay on the field. They'd better figure it out.” Grassi stated, “Riley’s grown up around the game. She is very knowledgeable about the game.”
That mindset helped Calvary Day finish the weekend on top.
But maybe the bigger story was what this tournament represented for girls' sports in the Savannah area. Four girls received college offers, and that's what summer tournaments are about.
Calvary Day School defender Makayla Modicue makes a key flag pull during Summer Sizzler tournament action in Savannah. (Prep Sports Report photo)
More teams are playing. More coaches are recruiting. More girls are getting opportunities.
And judging by the energy surrounding this weekend’s Summer Sizzler, girls' flag football in the Coastal Empire is growing and getting the looks needed to get to the next level.
Photos courtesy of Prep Sports Report
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Keeping Savannah-area athletes healthy and ready for gameday all season long.
Team physicians include Dr. Don Aaron (Bryan County), Dr. David Sedory (Benedictine, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County), Dr. David Palmer (Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham), and Dr. Thomas Alexander (Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent’s Academy).
