Moody Claims First Girls’ Flag Football State Title
Blue Devils Defeat Montgomery Catholic 27-18 in AHSAA Championship
BIRMINGHAM, AL – The Moody Blue Devils secured their first-ever AHSAA girls’ flag football state title on Wednesday, defeating the defending champions, Montgomery Catholic, in a hard-fought 27-18 contest. The victory unfolded at the 2025 AHSAA Super 7 State Football Championships, showcasing the rising talent in Alabama’s high school flag football scene.
Sophomore quarterback Serenity Rutledge delivered a commanding performance for Moody, contributing a combined 220 yards on the ground and through the air. Her efforts were pivotal in dethroning the Knights and capping an impressive season for the Blue Devils.
A Fast Start for the Blue Devils
Moody, under the leadership of Coach Wren Moore, established dominance early in the Class 1A/5A championship game. The Blue Devils constructed a 20-0 lead, putting immediate pressure on Montgomery Catholic.
The scoring opened with Serenity Rutledge connecting with Zoey Terry for a 5-yard touchdown pass. Soon after, Rutledge found Sophie White for a 14-yard touchdown reception, extending the lead. The most electrifying play of the first half came from the defense, as Cheyenne Moore intercepted a pass and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown, stunning the Knights and building a significant early advantage.
Montgomery Catholic Battles Back
Despite the early deficit, Montgomery Catholic demonstrated the resilience that had taken them to the state finals for a third consecutive year. Coached by Whitney Toole, the Knights began to chip away at Moody’s lead before halftime. Avery Sadler put her team on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run, narrowing the score to 20-6 as the teams headed into the break.
The second half saw both teams trading blows. Moody extended its lead to 27-6 in the third quarter when Rutledge threw an 18-yard scoring pass to Kennedy Hockman. However, Montgomery Catholic refused to back down. With just over eight minutes remaining, quarterback Hayden Fitts found Haley Ishman for a 9-yard touchdown pass. The same pair connected again on a sensational catch for another touchdown with 1:46 left, cutting the deficit to 27-18. In the end, Moody’s defense held firm, and the offense successfully ran out the clock to seal the historic win.
Key Player Performances
Moody Blue Devils (22-3):
- Serenity Rutledge: The sophomore quarterback was the driving force, rushing 20 times for 124 yards and completing 11 of 21 passes for 96 yards and three touchdowns. She also led the defense with eight stops.
- Sophie White: Finished with five catches for 39 yards and one touchdown.
- Zoey Terry: Contributed on both sides of the ball with two receptions, one touchdown, and four defensive stops, including two sacks.
Montgomery Catholic Knights (21-5):
- Hayden Fitts: Led the offense with 57 rushing yards and was 9-of-18 passing for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, she recorded a game-high 11 stops.
- Haley Ishman: Was the primary receiving target, hauling in six passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns.
- Avery Sadler: Added 10 defensive stops to her rushing touchdown.
What’s Ahead at Protective Stadium
The day’s action continued with the Class 6A/7A Flag Championship, featuring two-time defending champion Central-Phenix City (19-0) against Vestavia Hills (28-1). The first day of the 30th annual Super 7 concluded with the Class 7A boys’ state finals, where defending champion Thompson (10-3) faced Opelika (10-3).
FEATURED IMAGE: Moody quarterback Serenity Rutledge (0) evades defenders for a big gain.
(AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)
