Arnold’s Jerrica Hughes was named Bay County Flag Football Offensive Player of the Year after an electrifying season. The freshman ran 86 times for 698 yards and 12 touchdowns and added 20 receptions for 378 yards and seven scores.
Bay High’s Ka’leaya Jones earned Bay County Flag Football Defensive Player of the Year honors after recording 39 flag pulls and five interceptions.
Coach of the Year: Chris Esch (Arnold)
In their inaugural season, the Lady Marlins posted a 13-4 record, capturing the program’s first county and district championships while becoming the first Bay County team to host a flag football state playoff game.
Quarterback Madison Humphrey passed for 1,151 yards and 15 touchdowns, while running back Kendall Sears rushed for 671 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Legion of Blue defense was a driving force behind the team’s success, allowing just 7.4 points per game.
Defensively, Emma Crelling recorded 60 flag pulls and a county-leading 13 interceptions. Hughes added 55 flag pulls and eight interceptions. Arianna Williams contributed 45 flag pulls and two interceptions, while Isla Buxton finished with 30 flag pulls and four interceptions. Sawyer Carroll totaled 48 flag pulls and 11 sacks, and Okeria Lawrence recorded 37 flag pulls and 10 sacks. Heidi Still added 19 flag pulls and six interceptions.
1st Team All-County
Mia Canales (Sr., Arnold), Emma Crelling (So., Arnold), Marcela Deras (Sr., Arnold), Jerrica Hughes (Fr., Arnold), Madison Humphrey (Sr., Arnold), Okeria Lawrence (Sr., Arnold), Kendall Sears (Sr., Arnold), Arianna Williams (So., Arnold), Ka’leaya Jones (Fr., Bay), Samaria Peters (Sr., Bay), Shaunbriel Rivers (Jr., Bay), Anaston McCutchen (Jr., Mosley), Ava Parker (Sr., Mosley), Ashley Ceballos Mendez (So., Rutherford), Sirenitee Mitchell (Jr., Rutherford).
2nd Team All-County
Sawyer Carroll (Jr., Arnold), Heidi Still (So., Arnold), Nyasia Andrews (So., Bay), Briley Keen (So., Bay), J’Mora Pennywell (So., Bay), Michelle Smith (So., Bay), Faith Alvarado (So., Mosley), Lillian Hussey (So., Mosley), Gabriella Vigliante (Fr., Mosley), Madeline Walker (So., Mosley), Layla Scroggins (Jr., Rutherford), McKinley Summers (So., Rutherford).
Adebanji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Freshmen take Bay County flag football top honors
Reporting by Adebanji Bamidele, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Adebanji Bamidele, Panama City News Herald | USA TODAY Network
