Hawks Split With Milligan As Huntingdon Flag Football's Historic First Season Comes To An End

MONTGOMERY, Ala.- Returning to Charles Lee Field for their final two games of the season, Huntingdon Flag Football welcomed the Buffaloes of Milligan University for a double-header.

The Hawks dropped game one to their NAIA opponent 28-12, but bounced back to win the second game and their final of the season, 33-0.

Game One

Both offenses came out swinging, as Milligan cashed in on their first possession to take an 8-0 lead, but Huntingdon matched immediately after with a 13 play, 55-yard drive that resulted in an one-yard touchdown rush for Kylah Rome. After failing their two-point conversion, the Hawks trailed 8-6. 

Not to be outdone, the Buffaloes went right back down the field on their next possession, cashing in on a 7 play, 66-yard drive with a pitch-play to extend their lead to 14-6. Huntingdon started to drive back down the field themselves, but eventually stalled out and turned the ball over on downs. Milligan took advantage with a 8 play, 49 yard drive to push their lead to 22-6 early in the second quarter, which grew to 28-6 before halftime.

Huntingdon's defense stiffened in the second half, with Emily Stricklin picking up her first interception of the season on Milligan's opening drive to flip possession back to the Hawks early in the third quarter. Stricklin, playing both sides of the ball, then led the Hawks down the field on a five play, 29-yard drive that ended with a 7-yard touchdown keeper for the right-handed quarterback as the Hawks drew within two possessions, 28-12. 

The Hawks continued to swarm on defense through the remainder of the third quarter and into the fourth, as Jaquelle Tucker picked off two Buffalo passes while the other Milligan offensive possessions resulted in punts to give the Hawks a chance. Unfortunately, Huntingdon's offense couldn't generate any momentum of their own, as the Hawks fell 28-12.

Game Two

The Hawks controlled the second game of the double-header from the onset, taking a 13-0 lead into the second quarter after Emily Stricklin found Alyssa Llanos and De'Aysia Williams each for Huntingdon's pair of touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, the Hawks dominated the opening quarter, forcing punts on all three of Milligan's possessions. 

Huntingdon's lead grew to 20-0 on the first possession of the second quarter, as Stricklin found Williams again, this time for a 39-yard touchdown strike as the Hawks continued to roll into the halftime break. The lead became 27-0 early on in the third quarter following another interception from Emily Stricklin, as Mary Wade Latham connected with Kelis Russell on a 9-yard pass before a seperate connection between the two on the ensuing Huntingdon offensive possession raised the lead to 33-0. Huntingdon's defense remained in tact as the game drew near, closing out the Hawks first season as a program just as it started, with a shutout victory.

Today's double-header brings Huntingdon Flag Football's inaugural season to a close. In their 13 games, the Hawks pulled out three wins while competing with well-established programs throughout the duration of the year. Stay tuned for news to come of this young program's upcoming schedule and roster for the 2026 season.