Flag football: Pahokee ends historic season at awards ceremony

PAHOKEE – We have witnessed the best season in school history from Pahokee’s upstart flag football program.

Fresh off its first-ever district title last month, the Lady Blue Devils (8-7 record; District 23-1A champion; No. 7 seed in 1A-Region 6) saw their season at the hands of No. 2 seed Lincoln Park Academy in a 37-0 road loss on April 17.

Despite the tough moment, there is a lot for the female athletes to be proud of.

Lady Blue Devils head coach Bryan Crawford recapped the historic season in earnest.

“Well, we fell short after a few interceptions and with them scoring on those interceptions, we finally met our maker,” Crawford said of the season-ending loss in the 1A regional quarterfinal round. “The girls still fought until the end. And with that, I’m proud. Until next season.”

Crawford touched on the makeup of this year’s Pahokee Lady Blue Devils roster.

“The girls were really hurt after the loss,” Crawford said. “Almost had me teared up. But I had to explain to them that for about eight girls, this was their first year playing. Over 15 were in middle school. We had no seniors, two juniors, three or four sophomores, and three freshman.”

Just over two weeks after the season-ending loss, Pahokee’s flag football team was honored for their history making campaign. This happened Thursday night (May 2) at Pahokee High School’s auditorium.

Here is a list of the award winners for flag football:

JUNIOR VARSITY

Offensive MVP – Fra’niyah Washington

Defensive MVP – Kyrah Smith

Most Improved – Jayda Kleckley

MVP – Khaliyah Robinson

VARSITY

Offensive MVP – Hughzaiya Mingo

Defensive MVP (Split) – Talyn Phillips and Kelaijah McNeal

Most Improved (Split) – Kyunja Worthen and Jyriah Moore

MVP – Korlissia Young

ALSO: The Pahokee Lady Blue Devils flag football team was awarded by Muck Boy Edits (MBE: Tamarick Best’s media organization) as the Muck’s Team of the Year for the spring sports season.

We congratulate the Pahokee Lady Blue Devils on a historic season that will not soon be forgotten.

PHOTO CREDITS: Thomas Allen, Bryan Crawford, and Pahokee High School

GRAPHIC CREDITS: Muck Boy Edits (MBE: Tamarick Best)