1st-year Franklin program edges Hunterdon Central to claim Big Central flag football title
FRANKLIN (Somerset) – The spirit was as contagious as any Friday night in the fall with the exception of the time, season and those playing the game.
The Big Central Big Conference Flag Football Tournament title was determined Tuesday afternoon with the third-seeded Franklin girls topping No. 4 Hunterdon Central 7-6 at Franklin High School.
Franklin (7-1) a winner of seven straight and playing its first season, will for vie for the state title. That tournament will include two teams from the Super Football Conference and one from the New Jersey Interscholastic Conference. The tournament is sponsored by the New York Jets.
Sophomore Kayla Duncan scored a game-tying TD on a five-yard run, then broke the tie on the conversion run. Hunterdon Central (6-3) was stopped by an interception as time expired.
Duncan ran nine times for 55 yards and completed eight of 13 passes for 88 yards. Teammate Nyasia Salley ran for 61 yards on six carries and senior Iyanna Cotton caught three passes for 41 yards. She also had an interception.
“I told them when we went down 6-0 that ‘he you gotta respond,’ and they did,” said Franklin coach Dom Amoroso.
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Duncan was an impressive part of the offense, zigzagging up the middle and around the end. She’s also a point guard on the basketball team
“A lot of people love it, and when it’s not basketball season it keeps me in shape,” said Duncan.
Franklin was 4-1 in the regular season and beat Hillside and Monroe before the final. Hunterdon Central beat Westfield 14-13 and top seed Elizabeth to advance.
Central athletic director Jesse Spencer said 38 girls showed up for an interest meeting on possibly having the sport last year. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Association approved a two-year pilot program for flag football and Spencer said he’s very confident it will become sanctioned by the NJSIAA in 2026.
“When I actually realized it was a ‘thing’ last year, I jumped on board and I was been working since last year to get our district to support it and our Board of Education,” said Spencer. “It’s an opportunity for student athletes to do something and play something maybe they never thought was possible. The kids have bought in 100%. I was a little nervous about (athletes) leaving other sports, but very few have. It’s been awesome. “
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Flag football: Franklin edges Hunterdon Central for BCC title