A Season of Growth for Alabama State Women's Flag Football
The Alabama State Women's Flag Football team concluded a breakthrough season by competing in the Women's Collegiate Football Finals at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where they finished as the national runner-up. Their run to the championship game was marked by dominant performances that began with a decisive victory over the No. 5 seed Hendrix and continued with a commanding win over the top‑seeded Ferrum.
Seeded fourth entering the tournament, the Lady Hornets dispatched their opponents with scores of 42‑6 and 38‑5, setting up a showdown against the No. 2 seed Webber International. The final match ended 24‑16 in favor of Webber International, but the experience proved pivotal for a program still in its infancy.
Beyond the national finals, the Hornets added two high‑profile exhibitions to their schedule: the inaugural Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic in Tempe, Arizona, and the HBCU Flag Football Classic in Oakland, California. These appearances not only raised the team's profile but also provided valuable exposure on national stages.
First‑year head coach Tyrone Poole entered the season with a clear mission: to forge a distinct identity and cultivate a culture rooted in trust. He acknowledged the inevitable growing pains of a young squad learning to rely on one another for the first time.
Poole highlighted that trust is essential both on the field and off it, noting that early in the season many players barely spoke to each other. By mid‑season, however, those same teammates were making adjustments for one another without explicit instruction, turning into each other's biggest supporters.
A turning point arrived when team leaders called for a players‑only meeting during a difficult stretch. The gathering sparked a renewed focus and cohesion that Coach Poole regarded as more significant than any single victory.
Reflecting on the season, Poole emphasized that the program has taken a major step forward in laying a solid foundation for future success. The experiences gained, from building trust to competing on prominent stages, have set the stage for the Lady Hornets to build on this momentum in the years ahead.