In high schools across Georgia, girls are playing flag football more and more, including high schools in the Savannah Area. The interest also can be related to Calvary Day School winning the Class A-5A state championship in the inaugural year of 2020. Other local schools noticed and started their programs this season with dreams of doing the same. Win a state championship in this new sport.
Even though girls flag football has only been around for a short time in Georgia, it's a fast-growing and fascinating story. There has been a lot of growth in the sport in a few years. Nearly 200 schools now play in leagues sanctioned by the Georgia High School Association.
The flags and footballs have been packed away since early December. But the players were noticed and named to the two local GHSA Coaches All-Area Flag Football Teams. Two Savannah flag football players were named Players of the Year for their respective areas.
Mahkayla Premo won the GHSA Division 1 Area 1A Player of the
Year award as a Calvary Day School senior running back. In 2021, Premo maintained her dominance. Premo rushed for 670 yards and 19 touchdowns while catching 19 passes for 183 yards and three additional scores. Mahkayla had the option of passing in the Cavalier's offense, and she didn't miss. She completed 17 of her 17 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown.
Hayden Aliotta, a junior quarterback from St. Vincent's Academy, was named the GHSA Division 1 Area 2 Player of the Year. Hayden had Madden Game numbers as she threw for 2,725 yards in 13 games on 179 of 252 passes, of which 46 were touchdown tosses. Aliotta also carried the ball for 618 yards scoring eight rushing touchdowns.
Each area had its criteria for choosing All-Area teams. So, listed below is the rest of the All-Area flag football players recognized by their coaches and opposing coaches.
GHSA All-Area 1 Flag Football Teams
Player of the Year
Mahkayla Premo, Calvary Day School
Coach of the Year
Calvary Day School Coaching Staff
First Team Offense & Defense
Hannah Cail, Calvary Day School
Mahkayla Premo, Calvary Day School
Morgan Soukhamneut, Calvary Day School
Scarlett Jackson, Calvary Day School
Ke'Osha Mckeever, Long County
Kyleigh Sizemore, Long County
Amiyah Simpkins, Long County
Collins, Aryanna, Beach High School
Pretty, Amiya, Beach High School
Kaiya Bryant, Jenkins High School
Amaya Pounds, Jenkins High School
Talayna Holmes, Johnson High School
Hannah Summerall, Islands High School
Miracle Turner, Brunswick High School
Second Team Offense & Defense
Abigail Walsh, Calvary Day School
Sierra Lowery, Calvary Day School
Carlee Hurst, Calvary Day School
Breanna Jones, Calvary Day School
Makayla Raimer, Long County
Jada Young, Long County
Jada Freeman, Long County
Palmer, Aliza, Beach High School
Bivins, Kayla, Beach High School
Karena Hamilton, Jenkins High School
Katelyn McCord, Jenkins High School
Diamond Hamilton, Johnson High School
Devin Long, Islands High School
Kailah Partridge, Brunswick High School
Honorable Mention
Ansley Faircloth, Calvary Day School
Maddie Sheldon, Calvary Day School
Claire Thomas, Calvary Day School
Lily Frye, Calvary Day School
Melissa Vazquez, Long County
Samaria Harris, Long County
Justiz Williams, Long County
Dantzler, Ameyah¸ Beach High School
Quarterman, Hasheemah, Beach High School
Emily Keyes, Jenkins High School
TaNiyah Smith, Jenkins High School
Za'Khia Hall, Johnson High School
Taniya Forest, Johnson High School
Treasure Loman, Johnson High School
Ava Foster, Johnson High School
Knaci Johnson, Johnson High School
Syndi Polite, Islands High School
Addy Bowen, Islands High School
Amelia Sullivan, Brunswick High School
GHSA All-Area 2 Flag Football Teams
Player of the Year
Hayden Aliotta, Saint Vincent's Academy
Offensive Player of the Year
Reagan Aliotta, Saint Vincent's Academy
Defensive Player of the Year
Belle Jackson, Saint Vincent's Academy
Coach of the Year
Trey Lanier, New Hampstead High School
First Team Offense
Lucy Tuttle, Richmond Hill High School
KK Bradshaw, New Hampstead High School
Makayla Grey, New Hampstead High School
Thailya Wells, New Hampstead High School
Arianna Porter, Savannah Christian Prep
Abby McDonald, Effingham County High School
First Team Defense
Akira Webb, Richmond Hill High School
Shannon Lacey, Richmond Hill High School
Taylor Anderson, New Hampstead High School
Anna Smith, Saint Vincent's Academy
Kalyce Watson, Effingham County High School
Machaela Sampson, Effingham County High School
Megan Mattocks, Saint Vincent's Academy
Second Team Offense
Allie Washington, Richmond Hill High School
Anna Elliot, South Effingham County High School
Parker Hall, Savannah Country Day
Sofia Moorehead, Saint Vincent's Academy
Annie Torres, Savannah Arts Academy
Kyrin Fox, Saint Vincent's Academy
Valencia Collins, South Effingham High School
Second Team Defense
Adiah Grey, New Hampstead High School
A'Kera Jackson, New Hampstead High School
Anna Shelton, Savannah Country Day
Isabella Rodriques, South Effingham High School
Emily Galan, South Effingham High School
Rose Williams, Saint Vincent's Academy
Rowan Carter, Saint Vincent's Academy
Photo - Calvary Day School & St. Vincent's Academy Soical Media
Optim Orthopedics supports Benedictine Military School, Calvary Day School, Richmond Hill High School, Savannah Country Day, South Effingham High School, and St. Vincent's athletics. Benedictine Military School's team doctor is Dr. David Sedory. The team doctor for Calvary Day School, South Effingham, and Richmond Hill is Dr. David Palmer. Savannah Country Day and St. Vincent's team doctor is Dr. Thomas Alexander.
