VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) – In a momentous celebration at Valdosta High School, athletic director Reginald Mitchell addressed the crowd with words that encapsulated the significance of the day: “You all have set the trend. And what better way to top it off than to sign a scholarship to say to your teammates, ‘This is what’s at the end of the tunnel.’ So thank you for being a trailblazer.”
Those words hung in the air as an emotional Janiya Alford stood, having just accomplished something extraordinary—she became the first female Wildcat to continue flag football at the collegiate level.
Alford makes history becoming the first Lady Cat to sign for flag football(walb)
From Inaugural Team to Collegiate Athlete
Alford’s journey with flag football at Valdosta High began with the school’s inaugural team, a program that has since become a source of pride for the athletic department. Like any new program, the first year came with growing pains, but Alford and her teammates persevered.
“When we first started, it was a lot,” Alford reflected on those early days. “The program was up and down, but the second year with Coach Turner motivating us—even with losing first round of playoffs—it was very fun. I’ll love that team forever.”
This year brought its own challenges. Despite not making the playoffs, Alford’s affection for her teammates remained unwavering. “This year was very nice,” she said. “Even though we didn’t make the playoffs this year, I will forever love this team.”
The Center Takes Her Game to the Next Level
During her time as the center for the Black and Gold, Alford earned All-Region honors—a testament to her skill and dedication to the sport. Now, she’s taking those talents to Brewton-Parker College, where she’ll represent the Wildcats at the collegiate level.
Alford makes history becoming the first Lady Cat to sign for flag football(walb)
A Message for Future Wildcats
As the first female Wildcat to sign a flag football scholarship, Alford is acutely aware of the role model she’s become. When asked what advice she’d give to young women interested in the sport, her answer was simple but powerful:
“Believe in themselves.”
That message of self-belief—the same drive that carried her from her high school’s inaugural season to a college scholarship—will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of Lady Wildcats to pursue their dreams on the flag football field.
Janiya Alford’s historic signing marks a new chapter for Valdosta High School’s flag football program, proving that with determination, teamwork, and self-belief, the sky is truly the limit.
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