Harry Frezza Jr.
FRANKLIN (Somerset) – Aside from the time of day, the season and the people at the game, the excitement was just as contagious as it was on any fall Friday night.
The Big Central Big Conference Flag Football Tournament title was decided Tuesday afternoon at Franklin High School when the No. 3 seeded Franklin girls team defeated No. 4 seed Hunterdon Central, 7-6.
Franklin is coming off a seven-game winning streak in its first season at 7-1 and will compete for the state title in a tournament that includes two teams from the Super Football Conference and one team from the New Jersey State High School Conference. The tournament is sponsored by the New York Jets.
Sophomore Kayla Duncan ran 5-yards for a tying TD and then broke the tie with a conversion run, but 6-3 Hunterdon Central was stopped by an interception just before time expired.
Duncan ran nine times for 55 yards and completed 8 of 13 passes for 88 yards. Teammate Nyacia Salley ran six times for 61 yards and senior Iyanna Cotton caught three passes for 41 yards and also had an interception.
“When we were down 6-0, I told them, 'We've got to fight back,' and they did,” Franklin coach Dom Amoroso said.
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Duncan was an impressive member of the offensive line, zigzagging from center to edge. She also plays point guard for the basketball team.
“A lot of people love it and it helps them stay in shape when it's not basketball season,” Duncan said.
Franklin went 4-1 in the regular season and beat Hillside and Monroe before the finals, while Hunterdon Central beat Westfield and top-seeded Elizabeth, 14-13, to reach the finals.
Central Athletic Director Jesse Spencer said 38 girls attended a meeting last year about the possibility of hosting flag football. The New Jersey High School Athletic Association has approved a two-year pilot program for flag football, and Spencer said he is confident the school will receive NJSIAA sanction in 2026.
“Once I realized this was a 'thing' last year, I jumped on it and have been lobbying the school district and school board since last year to get behind it,” Spencer said. “This is a chance for our student-athletes to do something they probably never thought possible and play. The kids have embraced it 100 percent. I was a little worried that (the athletes) would drop other sports, but very few have done so. It's been a great experience.”
