Sport opening doors to college programs
Orlando area player of year Knight gets scholarship chance
Girls flag football is on the rise, with the number of high school teams across the country growing each year and the first college scholarship programs having been launched.
That’s perfect timing for Kiera Knight, a prolific Apopka High quarterback who is the 2021 Orlando Sentinel flag football Player of the Year. Knight, who excelled on both offense and defense in four seasons as a starter for the Blue Darters, signed last month to play her favorite sport for Thomas University of Thomasville, Ga., which is slated to kick off its inaugural women’s flag football season in 2022.
“A lot of female athletes are overlooked. For us to be able to showcase our talent and play in college is amazing,” Knight said.
The Night Hawks will compete in the Sun Conference alongside of five Florida programs that fielded their first flag programs this year: Florida Memorial, Keiser, St. Thomas, Warner and Webber International. All of those schools are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and received $15,000 donations for start-up flag football programs from the NFL, which has partnered with Nike, the NAIA and high school associations to grow the sport.
The NAIA, similar to the NCAA but much smaller, is the governing body for about 250 small colleges and has 25 offering flag football thus far. The National Junior College Athletic Association has also approved the sport for 2022.
“For me it’s exciting because Thomas University fits me academically and athletically,” Knight said.
She led Apopka to a 10-3 season and pushed the Blue Darters to the top spot in a very balanced Sentinel Super Six team rankings list (below).
St. Cloud, quarterbacked by rock-solid senior captain Angelina Rodriguez, made the area’s deepest FHSAA playoff run in a state that is out in front in flag football and is ranked No. 2.
Florida leads the nation in flag football participation by a big margin, according to the Associated Press, with 278 teams and some 7,700 girls playing in 2021.
Player of the Year
Kiera Knight, Apopka, Sr.
Buzz: A field general with speed and skills, Knight ran or passed for 35 of the Blue Darters’ 44 touchdowns scored. She also played defense. In a win against rival Wekiva, Knight tossed four TD passes, ran for two scores and grabbed two interceptions. She signed to play for Thomas University of Thomasville, Ga.
Sentinel Standouts
Taeler Bell, Apopka, Sr.
Buzz: Averaged 2 sacks and 4 flag pulls per game. Also was student government vice president and cheerleader.
Julia Cunha-Comin, DeLand, Sr.
Buzz: West Florida soccer commit totaled 2,044 yards and 28 TDs as passer, rusher and receiver. Also played defense.
Izzy Lima, Winter Park, Jr.
Buzz: Area rushing leader (per MaxPreps) ran 68 times for 758 yards (11.1 yards per carry) and scored 21 TDs.
Sierra Murphy, Timber Creek, Sr.
Buzz: QB passed for 25
touchdowns and ran for 5. Also had 7 interceptions and 42 flag pulls.
Alexis Santiago, St. Cloud, Jr.
Buzz: Aggressive two-way starter made timely interceptions and big catches for the Bulldogs.
Reinna Scott, Harmony, Jr.
Buzz: Two-way standout had 12 TD catches, 65 flag pulls and 2 interceptions — one for a touchdown.
Sentinel Super Six team rankings
1. Apopka (10-3): Blue Darters did not lose to a Sentinel coverage area team. Beat DeLand 26-0.
2. St. Cloud (9-4): Eightgame win streak included playoff wins vs. Harmony and 10-1 Centennial.
3. Harmony (11-4): Longhorns’ only loss to an area team was 7-0 to St. Cloud in district final.
4. DeLand (10-4): Season ended with seven-overtime 49-43 district semifinal loss to Spruce Creek.
5. Timber Creek (12-3): Wolves scored their seventh shutout win in district final vs. East River.
6. East River (11-2): Falcons split with Timber Creek and won twice vs. Winter Park (10-3).