General | August 30, 2024 | 14:12
For the first time in its history, the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic included girls flag football, underscoring the Detroit Sports Commission's commitment to community legacy and the promotion of youth sports, with a special emphasis on empowering girls.
The Girls Flag Football Showcase featured teams from the Michigan Girls Flag Football League established by the Detroit Lions: the Birmingham Groves High School Lady Falcons facing the Genesee High School Lady Wolves on Friday.
Led by Gabby Frazier, Alyssa-Michelle Smith, Sara Litkowiec, and Bella Cocroft Groves built a 19-0 halftime lead and prevailed 32-6.
Groves went undefeated last year and each team played a game last year at Ford Field.
Both Litkowiec and Frazier have been recruited to play at Sienta Heights next year.
"I just enjoy playing football,'' said Frazier. "I transferred here from Southfield A&T. Last year was my first time playing and I was scared. As soon as I got the hang of it I knew I was good. I always wanted to play football and I played with my older cousins. I have a younger sister who wants to play and I'm teaching her.''
Smith is an athletic terror who has breakaway speed.
"I've been playing a year,'' Smith said. "I love my team. We're sisters. We're all close and we listen to each other. We all pay attention. We have great sportsmanship. We always congratulate the other team, win or lose.
"I'm an aggressive person and I just like to get out there.''
"The Detroit Sports Commission's long-standing commitment to women's sports was reinforced through the development of the Living Legacy Initiative, created ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft," said Dave Beachnau, Executive Director of the Detroit Sports Commission. "This initiative focuses on promoting youth literacy and sports, with an emphasis on empowering girls and addressing the factors contributing to their higher dropout rates from sports compared to boys."
The girls' flag game was called by Chris Fritzsching, the voice of the Detroit Lions at Ford Field and Executive Director of the Detroit Lions Football Education program, which launched a girls' flag league in 2023 with 24 teams competing in the spring 2024 league.
Fritzsching said Siena Heights was the first Michigan college to offer a scholarship for flag football.
The Lions have provided equipment, uniforms for the league and provided referees and scheduling. A total of 24 teams participated this year.
"We are thrilled to partner with the Detroit Lions to bring girls' flag football to the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic for the first time," added Marty Dobek, Deputy Director of the Detroit Sports Commission. "Our relationship with the Lions has grown significantly through the record-setting 2024 NFL Draft and given the success and expansion of the Lions' girls flag football program, this year was the perfect opportunity to introduce girls' flag football to the XPKC."
Said Ella Kecskemeti, captain of the Groves team: "We were just happy to meet everyone and become teammates with them and work together. And it's just super fun to see everyone else have the same passion as we do. We hear from girls who are like, 'Oh yeah, I've been wanting to play football my whole life' or 'I used to play as a kid, too,' and now we all get to share this opportunity and experience together at the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic."
The Genessee area is excited about the new sport.
"Since we have started flag football at Genesee, the girls and community have really grown to love the sport. Genesee is a small community but has big dreams. The girls at our school love to compete at every sport. We are very excited to represent our school and to promote girls flag football for the state of Michigan as part of the 2024 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic. Lady Wolves are all in," said Robert Cooper, a para professional for Genesse Junior/Senior High School.
Postgame a panel discussion was held at the Matthaei Physical Education Center at WSU for media, featuring local champions of girls and women in sports. Panelists included Erika Wallace, Wayne State University Director of Athletics; Jesse Siordia, Head Coach of Siena Heights University Women's Flag Football; Traci Rubin, former Detroit Demolition professional women's football player; and Ken Fenton, Head Coach of the Detroit Prowl professional women's football team.
Siordia was excited to see flag football in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and watching his two incoming freshmen next year perform.
"It's going well,'' said Siordia. "We finished with 20 last season. We have three juniors and the rest are freshmen coming in. Gabby and Sara…Last year since I was watching them they've done very well and picked up the game very well. I also look at how well they do in academics. They have a great IQ for academics and for football. For this sport, which is growing rapidly, to have the athletic ability and Siena Heights is offering academic scholarship.''
Sophia Panico, a Siena Heights player, attended the panel discussion and was optimistic about the sport's future.
"I think everyday it's getting better and better,'' said Pacino. "It's proving to the world women's sports is a big thing and it has great potential. These young girls are out there showing coaches that they have the will and want to do it. It's a great thing in a short amount of time. I've been playing for a year and here I am now. I just have a lot for football.
