Meet The Tuscaloosa News 2023 All-Area flag football team
Girls flag football continues to grow in Alabama.
In the Tuscaloosa area, 11 teams participated in 2023 — Hale County, Brookwood, Greensboro, Northside, Tuscaloosa County, Paul W. Bryant, Northside, Sipsey Valley, Central, Hillcrest and Holt.
Sipsey Valley's Rhian Scott earned play of the year honors for her performance in 2023. The senior, who is a two-way player, led Sipsey Valley to a playoff appearance.
Here is the complete 2023 Tuscaloosa News girls flag football all-area team.
Player of the year
Rhian Scott, Sipsey Valley, senior
Why chosen: Scott was a team captain and starter on both sides of the ball. In 2024, she scored four touchdowns and was named as the team's most valuable defensive player.
Coach of the year
Jacob Haas, Tuscaloosa County
Why chosen: Haas wrapped up his third year at the helm of the Tuscaloosa County girls flag football team, and in three years, his team has won 33 out of its last 36 games. He has helped see the sport grow tremendously in three years at TCHS and has led the team to continued success.
Macy Hudgins
Tuscaloosa County, senior
Why chosen: Hudgins wrapped up her senior season with 33 touchdowns.
Breona Walker
Tuscaloosa County, senior
Why chosen: Led team with 10 interceptions and 18 touchdowns.
Shokendria Burrell
Tuscaloosa County, senior
Why chosen: Burrel led the Tuscaloosa County team in tackles with 130.
Mackenzie Nece
Hillcrest, senior
Why chosen: Nece was a member of Hillcrest's inaugural flag football team but had to sit out due to tearing her ACL. This season, she led the team in touchdowns, receiving yards and interceptions.
Alana Cornish
Northridge, sophomore
Why chosen: Cornish had 17 total touchdowns and/or extra point conversions and four interceptions in 2023.
Jalyn Copeland
Northridge, senior
Why chosen: Copeland finished her senior season with 10 total touchdowns and/or extra point conversions along with eight interceptions, returning two of those for touchdowns.
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Ceaira Wine
Northridge, sophomore
Why chosen: Wine recorded 12 total touchdowns and/or extra point conversions in 2023 along with two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and 13 defensive stops for no gain or a loss.
Avery Vick
Northridge, senior
Why chosen: Vick finished the 2023 season with 23 defensive stops for no gain or loss along with one interception.
Ky'Asia Tinker
Northridge, junior
Why chosen: Despite having to miss five games due to injury, Tinker finished the 2023 season with eight total touchdowns or extra point conversions, along with three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and 10 defensive stops for no gain or a loss.
Haley Templeton
Northside, junior
Why chosen: Templeton served as Northside's team captain in 2023 and finished the season with 78 tackles and one interception on defense along with 91 receptions and 11 touchdowns on offense.
Jasmine Dunn
Brookwood, senior
Why chosen: Dunn, a Brookwood team leader, finished the 2023 season with nine all-purpose touchdowns and 24 sacks, and was the team leader in flags pulled, touchdowns, sacks and quarterback pressures. Coach Clancy Bryant said she played almost every snap on both sides of the ball and was a difference maker in every aspect.
Cynia Spraggins
Brookwood, freshman
Why chosen: The freshman recorded six interceptions, one of those returned for a touchdown, along with four offensive touchdowns. She was the team leader in pass breakups, and coach Clancy Bryant said she is a lockdown cornerback and speedy receiver who made an impact all over the field.
Trinity Hood
Central, senior
Why chosen: Hood recorded 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2023.
Taniyah Richardson
Central, senior
Why chosen: Richardson finished the 2023 season with three touchdowns along with leading the team in tackles for loss and sacks. She recorded 52 sacks in three years.
Kayori Ryan
Central, junior
Why chosen: Ryan will be the first lady that will play four years with Central Flag Football, and she also led the team in touchdowns, total yards and yardage per game in 2023. Central coach Dennis Conner said she is able to play any position on the field.
Anna Snyder covers high school sports and University of Alabama recruiting for The Tuscaloosa News. Reach her at asnyder@gannett.com. Follow her on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @annaesnyder2
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Meet The Tuscaloosa News All-Area girls flag football team for 2023
