The beginnings of Summer are beginning to sizzle, but flag football is around greater. Savannah has already reached that level.
This weekend in Savannah, flag football will prove its point. It's safe to say that flag football is alive and well in Savannah.
The fourth annual Summer Sizzler tournament will take place this weekend, June 7-8. It will feature eight varsity teams from the greater Savannah area and beyond, four middle school teams at the Jennifer Ross Soccer Complex, and in a 7-on-7 format.
The varsity teams are Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, Jenkins, Southeast Bulloch, Columbus Sharks, Columbus Sharks JV, Long County, Langston Hughes, Carolina United, and Savannah Country Day.
Pool play will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, followed by single-elimination bracket play on Sunday.
Nick Grassi, an assistant coach on the Calvary Day program staff, began the tournament on a whim three years ago and grew rapidly. The varsity program began in 2020.
"During the first year, we just slapped the tournament together," said Grassi, who was joined by fellow Calvary assistant coach Jonathan Newton. "We wanted to see what we could get done. It ended up being good, and everybody's wanted to come back since."
As summer basketball is often a good gauge for the upcoming season, the Summer Sizzler can also be a worthwhile preview for the season ahead.
Southeast Bulloch was a state champion last season, 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.
Since the sport began being sanctioned in 2020, team numbers have risen mercurially.
"We started with about nine or 10 girls, and now we have 26," said Grassi. "There are several teams that have large numbers. Richmond Hill has over 40 girls."
Calvary, which lost 18 starters from last year's 19-6 team, will look to sophomore Page Stewart, who is back at quarterback, and junior center Lilee Garcia anchor the offense.
Stewart threw for 2,2234 yards with 32 touchdowns and rushed for 206 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
Others expected to make an impact are incoming sophomores Rily Grassi and June McKenzie, along with junior Reese Jenkins. Grassi caught 14 passes for 198 yards with six touchdowns last year.
Based on last year's teams' showings, the Summer Sizzler should offer plenty on the flag football grill. The regular season will begin in October.
"We have six teams who made the Elite Eight or better," beamed Grassi. "Teams are going through summer workouts. This will be a very competitive tournament, and it will be a great showcase for the season."
Photo Credit: Courtesy Intercoastal Athletics
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