By Jeff Whitten,
Special for the Herald
SPRINGFIELD – Only 27 students tried out for flag football at Effingham County High School in coach Kalin Martin’s first year at the helm in 2023, so she decided last spring to do a little public relations.
“I made it a point in May to go to each middle school in the county to tell girls about flag football and introduce myself,” Martin said. “I found that a lot of girls didn’t know we had the sport at the high school. We ended up getting 70 girls come to tryouts.”
That could be a sign the game, sanctioned by the Georgia High School Association since 2020, is growing despite competition with other fall sports for athletes. For Martin, a three-sport athlete and 2011 ECHS grad who played college softball, flag football is a natural fit. The daughter of longtime high school football coach Mike Martin, now an assistant at Screven County, Martin grew up on the gridiron.
“I was raised by a football coach and I’ve played sports all my life,” she said. “I’ve been on a football field on the sidelines since I could walk.”
“She is someone I look up to because of her coaching style, love for the game, and the team’s undefeated record with three state championships back to back,” Martin said.
As for the Rebels, off to a 1-1 start in 2024, key players include quarterbacks Andi Cordero and Ivyana Jenkins, center and receiver Jessica Cooper and defensive players Zyon Williams, Riley LaPollo, Baylee Hodges and Brooks Burnsed. Also key are Riley Bracken, a blocker and receiver who plays quarterback as well, and Mady Reagan, a receiver and linebacker.
The varsity roster also includes June Reno, Braylin Nease, Kaylene Jones, Ella Dean, Sanila Rawls, Abbey Anderson, Ryleigh Hoenshell, Ivanna Scott, Emma Gracen, Makinly Rountree and Payton Jones, said Martin, who looks for players who are quick learners, coachable, and also able to think on their feet, she said.
“And our game is so fast-paced, with 10-minute quarters and a running clock, so you have to have endurance and speed as well as good hands,” she said.
In GHSA flag football, teams are made up of seven players and three schools play two games each at the host school in a season that runs from September into November.
Effingham County had to cancel the season-opener against Portal and Claxton due to power outages from Hurricane Heléne, then split games Oct. 8 in Savannah, falling 7-0 in overtime to Woodville Tompkins and downing Groves 12-7.
The Rebels are on the road Oct. 16 to take on Savannah Christian and Johnson at Savannah Christian. Effingham County’s home opener is at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 against Long County and Beach.
