Redford Union quarterback Ameerah Saba is putting in the work this offseason to make sure the Panthers don’t miss the Michigan Girls High School Flag Football League state tournament again.
She had a breakout sophomore season in 2025. She helped her team go undefeated in the regular season, win the It Takes More League title and qualify for the playoffs for a second year in a row.
Much of her success came from her athleticism. The dual-threat outran defenders, showed off a strong arm and rarely made costly mistakes. That was evident in shutout wins over Romulus and Detroit Renaissance. She went 5 of 11 passing for 89 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles, then was nearly flawless against the Phoenix, completing 4 of 5 passes for 46 yards, three TDs and a two-point conversion.
But she also benefited from sharing the backfield with Cameron Cherry.
Cherry, then a senior, was a triple threat who could play QB, running back and receiver. She was also a ball hawk in the secondary. If Cherry wasn’t the state’s best player that season, she wasn’t far behind St. Joseph QB Lainie Dorow, who led the Bears to a state title. Now Cherry’s playing at Eastern Michigan University.
Competing without Cherry this spring wasn’t easy for Saba.
The junior opened the season strong in a 32-0 win over Detroit Cody, completing 8 of 19 passes for 134 yards, two TDs and two one-point conversions while adding 53 rushing yards and another score.
But the Panthers never found that same rhythm again. They finished 2-2 in the Motor City Muscle League and missed the postseason for the first time in program history.
Without Cherry to take some of the pressure off, Saba and the offense struggled in a 29-6 loss to rival Redford Thurston and a 12-0 defeat against Renaissance. She finished the season 34 of 73 passing for 373 yards, four TDs, two one-point conversions and nine interceptions, plsu only one rushing TD.
“It was definitely an adjustment,” Saba said during the Reaction Technologies Girls Flag Football Showcase and Development Camp on June 26 at Birmingham Groves. “But you’ve got to be ready for anything. I had to adjust as a quarterback but also as a teammate and a captain. I needed to learn how to use other players and how to execute differently.”
Sometimes a losing season is the best teacher.
Saba quickly figured out what she needed to improve and has spent the offseason attacking every weakness. She’s attended camps, thrown with travel teams during private workouts and trained with EvolveQB instructor Jake Kelbert of Livonia Franklin.
She’s also preparing for a bigger role. Saba has been working at receiver, hoping to become the Panthers’ next Cameron Cherry by contributing wherever she’s needed.
“I’m just working on executing better with my throwing, and I’m starting to work with coaches for wide receiver, too, getting my hands ready for the season,” Saba said. “We’re planning on having a few more quarterbacks this year, so I need to be ready for anything. So I’m excited for this season and to do better this year.”
Rather than dwell on a disappointing season, Saba is using it as offseason motivation.
“I’m just focused on executing more than winning,” Saba said. “Obviously, I want to win, but I also want to make sure that we can get through a game and execute correctly, focusing on individual plays and reps.”
Motor City Misschief, Groves qualify for AAU Junior Olympic Games
The Motor City Misschief beat Birmingham Groves 26-6 to win the inaugural West Michigan Flag Championship 17U tournament Sunday, June 28, at Waddell Field in Byron Center.
Both finalists earned a berth in the 2026 AAU Junior Olympic Games, which will be held July 27-Aug. 8 in Des Moines, Iowa.
The Misschief roster features some of the top players from metro Detroit and Ann Arbor, including first-team all-state pass rusher Kamari Burks of Romulus Summit Academy North. She’s also the younger sister of Indianapolis Colts rookie Deion Burks, the former Belleville standout receiver who starred at Purdue and Oklahoma before being selected in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Groves reached the championship game by blanking Belleville 24-0 in the semifinal behind all-staters Ke’lko Buskin, Aliyah Wright and Ja’Layah Buffin-Pitts. Molly Frederiksen, Kailee Sharon, Claudia Whitelam and Presley Groh also suited up for the Falcons, who received a guest appearance from Redford Union all-state defensive back Amaya Tigney.
Other locals competing were Ypsilanti Lincoln’s Zarina Kittle, Wayne Memorial’s Bria Thurmand, Mount Clemens’ Sincere Brown, Flint Powers Catholic’s Devin Dietrich, Redford Union’s Ameerah Saba and Belleville’s Grace Kelley, Dakota Caudill, Kylee Tibbs, Tayanna Land, Chloe Miller, Jamia Stevens, Makyla Littlefield, Madison Leftwich and Ariel Hawkins.
Brandon Folsom covers high school sports in metro Detroit for Hometown Life and the Detroit Free Press. Follow him on X at @folsomwrites.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Redford Union QB Ameerah Saba fueled by down year, eyes bigger role
Reporting by Brandon Folsom, Hometownlife.com / Detroit Free Press
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By Brandon Folsom, Hometownlife.com | USA TODAY Network
