Their regular season won't begin for a few months, but flag football was in playoff mode recently in Savannah. Last weekend in Savannah, the Summer Sizzler Flag Football tournament turned up the heat.
The third annual Summer Sizzler flag 10-team varsity football tournament was held at the Jennifer Ross Soccer Complex on the weekend of June 7-8. Teams played a seven-on-seven format. The tournament's initial season, in 2021, was called the Low Country Flag Football Tournament. Pool play began on Saturday morning, June 7, followed by single-elimination bracket play on Sunday, June 8.
Southeast Bulloch, which won a state title last season, edged Langston Hughes, 7-0, for the tournament title in a highly contested battle that was as close as the final score indicates. The Lady Yellowjackets made a remarkable impression once more. This impressive program has won four straight Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state championships.
PHOTO: Southeast Bulloch celebrates its championship win at the 2025 Summer Sizzler 7v7 Flag Football Tournament in Savannah.
(Photo Southeast Bulloch Flag Football)
Richmond Hill had two teams in the four-team junior varsity tournament, and both teams were in the final, with the “A” team bearing the “B” team. Dis Is Me, Turf Love, and Skills Sports Academy were other teams.
Aside from the teams in the championship game, other varsity teams were Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, Jenkins, Columbus Sharks, Columbus Sharks JV, Long County, Carolina United, and Savannah Country Day.
Among the Savannah teams, Calvary Day and Richmond Hill made it to the semifinals.
Nick Grassi, an assistant coach on the Calvary Day program staff, began the tournament on a whim three years ago. It grew rapidly, and the varsity flag football program began in 2020.
PHOTO: The Calvary Day School flag football team gathers for a team photo during the 2025 Summer Sizzler Tournament in Savannah.
(Photo Calvary Day School Flag Football Program)
Grassi was pleased with the overall performance of all the teams despite weather issues encroaching on the games.
“All teams played great and got a lot of great work,” beamed Grassi. “It was very hot and then the rain tried to postpone, but we were able to move ahead and play.”
Despite some weather obstacles, the level of play was heightened throughout the weekend.
“Every team came to win a championship,” added Grassi. “This wasn’t about work and extra reps for the teams.”
Last year during the regular season, aside from Southeast Bullock, Columbus went to the Final Four, and Jenkins lost in the Division 2 state semifinals. Calvary Day and Long County advanced to the Elite Eight, and Richmond Hill made it to the second round of the state playoffs.
Most teams will begin regular season play this fall on approximately Oct. 9, and Grassi knows his team will endure some growing pains. Sophomore quarterback Page Stewart, who threw for 2,234 yards with 32 touchdowns and rushed for 206 yards with a pair of touchdowns, will be back under center.
PHOTO: Calvary Day School sophomore quarterback Page Stewart looks to pass during the 2025 Summer Sizzler Tournament in Savannah.
(Photo Calvary Day School Flag Football Team)
We are in the process of filling nine starting positions,” said Grassi. “We have a lot of talent with very little experience.
“Page Stewart will be carrying the load this year and we expect big things from her. She has great vision and a great arm. We are looking to get some talent around her and make a push deep into the playoffs again.”
Grassi, who had mixed feelings about the tournament when he began it with fellow Calvary assistant coach Jonathan Newton, believes it had a long stay ahead.
"Every team I spoke to had a great experience,” stressed Grassi. “They will be back, and the tournament should have a long future.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy Southeast Bulloch Flag Football social media page and Calvary Day School flag football program
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