Over the past decade, girl’s flag football has rapidly grown across the Savannah area, creating new opportunities for athletes and producing increasingly competitive programs. One program that has taken that step forward is Calvary Day School, which started its flag football program in 2020.
Since the program started, the Lady Cavs have won one state championship, the inaugural Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class 1A-5A crown in 2020, and have never looked back, posting a winning record in each season. During the 2025-2026 season, coaches Nick Grassi and Anna Barron led the team to a 15-8 record and a GHSA Elite-Eight appearance.
Members of the Calvary Day School girls flag football team pose for a photo following the Lady Cavs’ Elite Eight game during the GHSA state playoffs. Courtesy of Calvary Day School Athletics.
The Lady Cavs’ strong regular season in 2025, postseason performance, and team chemistry helped earn the program one of the biggest honors in high school flag football — an invitation to the Unrivaled Girls Flag Football Nationals Tournament in Canton, Ohio.
“We are honored to have been invited to compete in the Unrivaled Girls’ Flag Football Nationals tournament in Canton on June 26–28,” Coach Anna Barron said.
The invitation is not only prestigious — it is exclusive.
“Our team was selected to participate alongside 32 outstanding high school teams from across the country, and we are incredibly proud of the opportunity to represent our program on a national stage,” Barron said.
Like the other teams in the field, the Lady Cavaliers are chasing a championship at the national invitational.
While the Cavs and Coach Barron would love to bring home a championship, they also see the tournament as an opportunity to compete against some of the top teams in the country.
“We know we will be facing some of the strongest competition we have seen, but we also know that competing against top-level teams will help prepare us for the challenges ahead in our season,” Barron stated.
Barron also said the Cavs “are excited for the opportunity to grow, compete, and showcase the hard work and dedication of our athletes and coaches.”
The tournament gives Calvary an opportunity to put both its program and the Savannah-area flag football on the national map. A strong performance in Canton could bring even more attention to the growing sport across the Coastal Empire.
Barron added to that point, saying, “It is an incredible honor to be considered among the top teams in the country,” while also saying the Cavs “are proud to represent Calvary as well as the outstanding flag football community in Savannah.”
When June 26-28 arrives, the Lady Cavaliers will carry more than just their school colors onto the field in Canton. They will also represent the Savannah-area flag football on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
One question remains — why the Cavs? Why were they selected out of more than 2,000 programs across the country?
The answer comes from the team’s combination of skill, chemistry, and commitment on and off the field.
“The girls on this year’s team bring valuable experience and are ready to step into a leadership role,” Barron said.
“Many of these athletes compete year-round, continuing to develop and improve during the offseason. Having played together over the years, they have built strong chemistry and trust, which has helped shape them into a more cohesive and competitive team.”
Another interesting part of the experience is the tournament’s location near the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. For decades, Canton has represented football history, tradition, and greatness.
This summer, however, Canton will also serve as a showcase of the future of football, as some of the nation’s top girls' flag football teams compete on a national stage.
The Lady Cavs are hoping to make a championship run. Their chemistry, experience, and motivation will be tested against top competition from around the country.
At the same time, they also hope to continue putting Savannah-area flag football on the map while representing one of the sport’s fastest-growing communities.
And there may be no better place to do it than Canton, Ohio — a city that has celebrated the game of football for generations.
Photos courtesy of Calvary Day School Athletics Department
Prep Sports Report Football Coverage Presented by Optim Orthopedics
Optim Orthopedics wants you in the game.
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).
