Bob Jones and Sparkman to collide tonight in flag football clash

MADISON – In one of the latest editions of a long-running rivalry among neighboring high schools, Bob Jones and Sparkman will collide in a flag football game tonight.

Flag football, a girl’s sport, was sanctioned by the Alabama High School Athletic Association beginning in 2021. The Lady Patriots, who are hosting the big clash, and Lady Senators play in the 10-team Class 6A/7A, Region 8.

Both teams have designs on making the state playoffs, which begin the first full week of November and conclude with the 6A/7A and 1A/5A state championship games at Birmingham’s Reliant Stadium during Super 7 Championships week Dec. 4-6.

“We are really proud of how the team has come together this season,’’ Lady Patriots head coach Carmelesia Sullivan said. “The girls have worked hard and that has helped us to a 4-1 record, but with four games remaining there is still work to do. Although we want to finish the season strong, we are taking it one game at a time and looking for ways to improve.

As for facing rival Sparkman, Sullivan said games against the Lady Senators have “always been competitive.’’

Class 6A/7A, Region 8 standings:

Austin (5-1)

Bob Jones (4-1)

Decatur (4-1)

Lee (4-1)

Sparkman (3-3)

Huntsville (3-3)

Grissom (2-3)

Hazel Green (1-4)

Mae Jemison (0-4)

Columbia (0-5)

Meanwhile, it hasn’t taken long for Alabama to make its presence known in the world of flag football. Central-Phenix City was named the No. 1 team in the nation in USA Today’s latest rankings released Oct. 10. Also landing in the Top 25 were No. 13 Vestavia Hills, No. 20 Prattville and No. 23 Daphne.

The Red Devils (8-0) earned the top spot in the USA Today national rankings after beating Smiths Station 49-0 and Park Crossing 55-0.