Franklin Springs, GA – This year, Emmanuel Women's Flag Football made history becoming the first NCAA D1 or DII program to start a program. In their inaugural season which consisted of eight games, Head Coach, Terry Allen saw great promise in the team. Coach Allen is no stranger to the gridiron, as a former all-pro running back who played in the NFL for 11 years, leading the league in touchdowns in 1996.

We caught up with Coach Allen about the program's inaugural year and the strong foundation the program established. 

What were a few highlights from your season?
This was our inaugural season. The highlights underscore the team's dedication and resilience. Key moments included watching the team embrace the game and discovering the fun of flag football. Each week revealed their growing perseverance and commitment. 

Offensively, the team showcased impressive passes, catches and runs. Defensively, standout plays included interceptions, sacks, and crucial touchdown-saving flag pulls resulting from great effort. 

Observing their growth, increasing confidence, and camaraderie was inspiring. Seeing them progress both as athletes and students mattered most. Lastly, experiencing the support from the parents, students, and Emmanuel community was truly heartwarming and made all the difference. 

What was your favorite memory of the season?
For me, a standout moment from the season was our very first game. It was great to witness the girls' initial nerves settle down throughout the game as they realized playing flag football was fun. Despite the loss, the pure joy of their achievement was evident on their faces. 

Was there a point in the season where things clicked for you as a team?
Around the fourth game things started to come together for us. You could see that their understanding of flag football had improved significantly. They started playing with a newfound confidence as their belief in themselves really began to shine through. 

What are you looking forward to next season?
Next season, I'm really excited to see us build upon the foundation we've established. With a strong core of returning athletes and the exciting addition of our new recruits, I'm looking forward to elevating our game and fostering growth in faith, academics, and community engagement. The future of Emmanuel Women's Flag Football is incredibly bright. 

Congratulations, Lady Lions on a strong inaugural year!