Spain Park, Oak Mountain, Helena players named to inaugural All-OTM flag football team

Published 10:50 am Thursday, December 14, 2023

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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

As flag football continues to grow in the Birmingham metro area, the best players have been honored for the first time on the inaugural All-Over-The-Mountain flag football teams.

Six players from the Spain Park Jaguars, three members of the Oak Mountain Eagles and Reece Unnoppet from the Helena Huskies earned spots on the All-OTM teams from area coaching staffs.

Emily Stricklin, Zyian Heligar and Chennell Hunter from Spain Park represented the Jags on the All-OTM First Team. Their teammate Rory Payton was also honored as well as she made the Second Team, and Irene Kihara was an honorable mention.

Oak Mountain’s Ella Holt was named to the All-OTM Second Team for her performance for the Eagles. In addition, Oak Mountain rusher and linebacker Samantha Bennett as well as wide receiver and safety Emma McGregor were named to the honorable mentions list.

Unnoppet became the first Helena player to be named to the All-OTM team with her inclusion in the Second Team.

Spain Park capped off a strong season with a trip to the second round of the Areas 9 and 10 Qualifying Tournament for the 2023 flag football state championship. The Jags defeated Oak Mountain 29-0 in the first round before falling the Vestavia Hills in a battle for a spot in the state tournament.

The teams were voted on by coaching staffs from teams in the region. In addition to Spain Park, Oak Mountain and Helena, players from Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Homewood, John Carroll and Mountain Brook were selected to the All-OTM Teams.