Tailiyah Church, a senior at Newton, put pen to paper this week to accept a flag football scholarship at Newberry College in South Carolina, becoming the second Lady Ram to do so.
A Milestone for the Lady Rams
The commitment arrived amid a whirlwind of mixed emotions for Church, who described the decision as both exhilarating and daunting. She credited the unwavering support of her high school coaches for helping her navigate the pressure and for pushing her to reach new heights on the field.
Church’s senior season was nothing short of spectacular. As a defensive back she earned All‑Area honors and played a pivotal role in guiding her team to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history, a run that capped a memorable year.
Choosing Newberry
When asked what sealed the deal, Church pointed to the size of the scholarship and the genuine relationship she built with the college’s coaching staff. The coaches made me feel like I was already part of the family, she said, noting that the financial package eased the burden of out‑of‑state tuition.
Her signing came just a week after Aryanah Clark made history as the first county athlete to secure a flag football scholarship, a moment that added momentum to a growing pipeline of talent. Church hopes her own commitment will inspire the next generation of players to pursue the sport at the collegiate level.
Beyond personal ambition, Church sees her signing as part of a larger narrative. She wants future flag football athletes to view college scholarships as a realistic and rewarding path, reinforcing the sport’s rising profile in the region.