Northside flag football made history with a 20-0 shutout win over Ramsay, earning the program’s first trip to the third round of the AHSAA playoffs Thursday, Nov. 13, at Northside High School.
In only its fourth year as a program, Northside (18-1) extended a season that has already marked its best record to date and a major step forward for a young sport still finding its structure statewide.
Preparation was a challenge for Northside heading into the matchup. As a fairly new AHSAA sport, flag football still lacks reliable scouting resources, such as consistent film or accessible stats. Northside coach Riley Grace Honeycutt said the team had little to no material with which to study Ramsay (4-7), relying mostly on MaxPreps records and whatever word-of-mouth scouting they could gather.
“It’s so hard whenever you don’t have film, and you can’t get any film,” Honeycutt said. “All you can look at is MaxPreps records, see win-loss records and go from there. It’s challenging, for sure, but you’ve just got to trust your gut, keep doing what you’ve been doing all year and hope that it gets you further than what you did last year.”
Northside leaned on what it knew best: its efficient offense, one led by quarterback Baylee Appling, who went 21-for-26 for 215 yards and a passing touchdown to Kaylee Davidson. Brayden Billings ran for a 15-yard touchdown, contributing 10 passing yards and five receptions for 35 yards.
Sophomore Avery Patton stole the show on both sides of the ball, catching six passes for 100 yards on offense and two interceptions on defense, one for a Pick-Six score.
“We’ve really just worked our tails off,” Patton said. “We’re just out there to shine our light for Jesus.”
Senior rusher Mary Piepho had 3 sacks, 2 quarterback hurries, 6 flag pulls and 1 deflection. Piepho, the team’s only four-year starter, has been with the program since its inaugural season and has witnessed its evolution firsthand.
“I ain’t gonna lie, we weren’t the best, but we got through it,” Piepho said. “It’s a great feeling just to know that you’ve come from the first year of it ever being a sport, to you now making third round and making history yet again.”
Up next, Northside hits the road for a Class 1A-5A Elite Eight appearance at Moody (15-2). Honeycutt said the Blue Devils are tough, equipped with a scrambling quarterback and a strong receiver duo. For Northside to keep its historic run alive, the team will lean into a chance no Rams squad has ever had.
Amelia Hurley covers high school sports and Alabama softball for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached through DM on X at ameliahurley_ or via email at ahurley@gannett.com.
Northside flag football makes history with shutout win to reach Round 3 of AHSAA playoffs – The Tuscaloosa News
