DECATUR, Ala. — A new team has joined the Tennessee Valley, and when they’re on the field, their goal is to own it!
They are the Austin High School Flag Football team, comprised of junior high and high school students.
“It's an experience, like a full experience. We're all learning,” said Senior Quarterback, Myah Motton.
They’re learning more about something they love. “I enjoy it. I know I enjoy it. I love football. I love the sport itself,” she added.
For some of the players like, Sophomore Outside Linebacker, Jada Billings, it’s something new. “I was playing basketball since I was five, so I just wanted to, like, try something new and just, like, get a feeling of a different sport.”
Some of the girls say it’s something edgy too. “I feel like it gives girls different things to do,” said Sophomore Wide Receiver, Braylee Pitts.
The players appreciate the exposure. “When I joined the team, I didn’t think it was going to be like this. I thought it was going to be like, not as known,” said Austin Junior High Freshman Strong Safety, Khalilah Mason.
“I really like the competitiveness because it makes everybody better and it's just more fun when the competition is fierce,” said Motton.
However, it’s not all fierce. “A lot of coaches, they are very funny. Like, we always say we can have a reality show,” said Pitts.
The girls say it’s fun too.
“I totally agree because it would be so entertaining to watch us. We're so hilarious,” said Motton. “I consider myself kind of a leader on the team, not only because I'm a quarterback, but because I love these girls. I think they're good people, but I also want the team to be successful. And I think that that starts with the individual.”
The girls’ head coach, Coach Nikia Powell, pitched the idea to her colleagues, which is now a reality with quite the record to start. “Region, we’re five and one, but overall we're five and two. “It gives them opportunity to show off their athleticism. These are some athletic young ladies, and listen, this is my world. I can't imagine being anywhere else,” said Powell.
The girls on the team say they’d have to agree. “I think we're a sisterhood. Like, we argue, you know, we joke around like it's fun. Majority of the good outweighs the bad for sure,” said Motton.