News Summary
The Birmingham Groves girls flag football team bounced back from a previous loss to secure a victory in their second match, benefiting from Bella Cocroft’s return. After a 20-6 defeat to North Farmington, Groves won 18-12 against Bloomfield Hills Marian, with Cocroft making an immediate impact by scoring a crucial touchdown. Despite coach Geoff Wickersham’s absence due to illness, the team continues to push forward. The growth of the Michigan Girls High School Flag Football League shows strong interest in girls participating in football.
Birmingham, MI – Birmingham Groves’ Flag Football Team Shows Resilience with Bella Cocroft’s Return
In a significant turnaround, the Birmingham Groves girls flag football team rebounded from a loss in their season opener to secure a victory in their second game, thanks to the return of key player Bella Cocroft. After losing their opening match 20-6 to North Farmington without Cocroft, who was attending a soccer showcase out of state, Groves triumphed 18-12 against Bloomfield Hills Marian in Week 2.
Cocroft made an immediate impact in her return, playing a crucial role in the game against Marian. She intercepted a pass early in the match, putting Groves in a favorable position near the end zone. This set the stage for Gabby Frazier, a North Carolina Central commit, who connected with Cocroft on an 18-yard touchdown pass to extend Groves’ lead to two scores. Cocroft finished the game with eight carries for 62 yards and scored a game-clinching touchdown on a 14-yard run in the final minute.
Birmingham Groves is currently navigating challenges beyond just game play; their head coach, Geoff Wickersham, has been sidelined by illness for three weeks, further complicating their season dynamics.
Despite Groves’ strong performance, Bloomfield Hills Marian’s quarterback, Andrea Elkhory, demonstrated impressive skill throughout the match, completing 14 of 22 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Maria Odeesh emerged as Elkhory’s top target, catching eight passes for 100 yards, while twins Ruby and Ellie Jansen, daughters of former NFL offensive lineman Jon Jansen, acted as reliable options. Their contributions were instrumental in pushing Marian’s offense, keeping them competitive against Groves.
Team Standings and Performance
In other league action, Clawson’s girls flag football team, led by former football coach Jim Sparks, has also begun the season strongly, boasting a 2-0 record. They achieved a commanding 33-0 shutout victory over North Farmington, with quarterback Brennan Gough completing 8 of 11 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns.
Redford Union has dominated the league thus far, boasting an impressive 3-0 record, winning their games with scores of 44-0, 28-0, and 24-0 against various teams. The team’s defense has shone brightly, recording consecutive shutouts, highlighted by standout players such as Amaya Tigney and Cameron Cherry, both of whom have secured multiple interceptions this season.
The Growth of Girls Flag Football
The Michigan Girls High School Flag Football League is undergoing significant growth. From 24 teams currently participating, the league anticipates expanding to potentially double that number by 2025. To support this growth, the league partners with organizations like the Detroit Lions, Nike, and USA Football to provide uniforms and equipment for the teams.
The regular season for the league typically lasts about three weeks, culminating in a one-day postseason tournament. The broader aim for the league is to achieve state sanctioning for girls high school flag football in Michigan, joining 13 other states that have already recognized the sport.
The developments seen in Birmingham Groves, as well as across the league, reflect a growing interest in and commitment to girls’ participation in football, creating a pathway for future athletes in the sport.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Michigan Girls High School Flag Football League Begins Strong
Additional Resources
- Hometown Life: Week 2 Stat Leaders
- Detroit Lions: Girls Flag Football Returns
- The News Herald: Girls Flag Football Frenzy
- Wikipedia: Girls Flag Football
- Free Press: Female Athletes Push for Flag Football
- Google Search: Girls Flag Football Michigan
- Hometown Life: Week 1 Stat Leaders
- Google Scholar: Girls Flag Football in Michigan
- Fox 17: Lions Girls Flag Football Expansion
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flag Football
