Calvary Day flag football team beats Harris County to advance to state semifinals

Calvary Day’s Chad Griffin coaches boys and girls soccer at his school, and when the GHSA introduced girl’s flag football as a new sport this year, the athletic director took on another head coaching role — hoping to build another strong program at a school known for athletic excellence. 

It’s been a challenge for players and coaches learning the ins and outs of a new sport — and the Cavs have enjoyed the ride. On Saturday, Calvary Day beat visiting Harris County 7-0 to advance to the Class A-5A semifinals set for Wednesday at the Home Depot Backyard at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Cavs will face Northside Columbus at 1:30 p.m.

“It’s been so much fun — the girls are excited to be out here doing something outside the norm,” Griffin said. “Almost all of our girls play other sports. They are used to playing a mainstream sport and what that’s all about — but the concepts of flag football are different.”

Calvary Day’s highly-regarded girls basketball team, ranked No. 10 among Class A Private teams in the state by Sandysspiel.com, is well represented on the football team with sophomore Hannah Cail playing quarterback and Mahkayla Premo and Nevaeh Hamilton playing as running back/receivers.

“I think their ability to see the floor on the basketball court translates well to seeing the field in football, and that has helped us a lot,” Griffin said.