Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
Stanhope Elmore High School Girls’ flag football is one of the most rapidly expanding sports in the area and country, and Stanhope Elmore is the latest school to add to the increasing number of participating programs in the area. Kashundra Davis, an English teacher at Stanhope Elmore, will lead the program in its first year.
“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to lead Stanhope Elmore’s first Girls’ Flag Football team,” said Davis. “I have had the pleasure of teaching some of these young ladies in the classroom, and I look forward to continuing that role in another capacity through athletics. It is rewarding to help build something new that will create opportunities and memories for our students for years to come.”
Prattville, Marbury, and Billingsley have each fielded girls’ flag football teams in recent years. In 2023, Prattville advanced to the Final Four in its first season. Marbury and Prattville both advanced to the Elite 8 in 2025. The support and success of the other programs has been evident and shown the interest this area has in supporting this new sport.
The interest in the Millbrook community is massive. The school recently held tryouts that were attended by approximately 70 students.
“I was pleased, amazed, and honestly a little overwhelmed by the turnout. Having so many girls interested is a testament to both the need for this opportunity and the amount of athletic talent we have in our community. It also speaks to the rapid growth of girls flag football and where the sport is headed. These young women are excited to compete, be part of a team, and help build something special from the very beginning,” said Coach Davis.
While the Mustangs did receive a $5000 grant from the Atlanta Falcons organization, the school still needs additional resources to help start the program.
“We are a brand-new program being built completely from the ground up, so there are many needs when it comes to equipment, uniforms, and overall program support. Another major need is additional coaching support. The interest level has been overwhelming, and we would love the opportunity to develop a JV team, but additional staffing is necessary to make that possible,” said Coach Davis.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association shows that in flag football, the Mustangs will compete in Class 5A Area Region 2 in 2026. Region opponents will include Percy Julian, Park Crossing, Wetumpka, and Russell County. While the other region opponents fielded a team in the previous year, the Mustangs will have a decent chance to compete for a region title and playoff birth in their first season. But Coach Davis has a vision beyond that.
“As a first-year program, our focus is not simply on wins and losses right now. Of course, we want to compete and improve each week, but our main objective is to build a strong foundation for the future. We want these girls to grow together as a team, develop confidence, leadership, discipline, and accountability, and learn lessons that will help them long after football is over.
“We are laying the foundation for what we hope will become a strong and lasting program at Stanhope Elmore. If we stay committed to growth, teamwork, and development, the wins will eventually follow,” said Coach Davis.
