Ready to represent
Uniontown’s Jenkins selected to play in Big 33 flag football tourney
It will be East vs. West on Memorial Day weekend when four teams comprised of the top high school flag football players in the state will represent the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders in the third annual Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association (PSFCA) Big 33 girls flag football tournament at Cumberland Valley School District’s Mountain View Middle School and Chapman Field in Cumberland Valley.
The two-day event will coincide with the 69th Big 33 Football Classic on May 23 and 24.
Uniontown senior Aierra Jenkins will represent the Steelers, as she is one of 22 players selected from the WPIAL and City League to battle the best seniors from the Philadelphia area and beyond.
A tryout was held to select the four teams, and Jenkins was confident that her performance in the tryout landed her on the team.
“The committee for the Big 33 Classic sent me an email to inform me I had made the team,” Jenkins said. “It is a big honor, and not to sound cocky, but after my performance in the tryout, I kind of knew I was going to make it. I’m just glad to see that all my hard work is paying off.”
Jenkins, who will attend PennWest California where she will continue her academic, basketball and flag football careers, was selected as a wide receiver for the Big 33 tournament, but she also plays defense for the Lady Red Raiders, who are 4-2 this season.
Jenkins leads Uniontown in most statistical categories, and she is also needed to communicate to her teammates in regards to personnel and the flow of the game.
“Our coaches always encourage me to talk and make sure my teammates are in the right position,” Jenkins said. “I think that carries over from basketball. I believe playing both sports has helped me when it comes to getting the ball in my hands and just keeping me on my toes.”
Uniontown flag football coach Jonathan Sakaguchi has a first-hand look each practice and game to watch Jenkins perform, and he is proud to say he coached such a talent.
“We’re all excited for Aierra to have this opportunity to play in the Big 33 game,” Sakaguchi said. “It’s an honor for any football player to get to be a part of this, and for her to represent Uniontown and the WPIAL is a testament to the hard work she’s put in.
“You don’t find players like her every day. She is a generational talent and natural athlete, and you can’t teach that. Aierra is a team captain and our team leader in receiving yards and touchdowns for a reason. “There is nothing she can’t do for us. She runs great routes and has great hands, plus she can play running back and quarterback. She plays solid pass defense, can blitz and return punts. She would do the punting if I allowed her to. I can’t wait to see what she can do at the next level.”
Jenkins will be joined on the Steelers team by Sto-Rox’s Arianna Johnston (quarterback); Ellis School’s Angelina Jones (quarterback) and Syree Spencer (defensive back); Shaler’s Alexis Claycomb (wide receiver), Paige Querio (quarterback), Emily Thomas (wide receiver) and Zoey Cieslak (linebacker); Oakland Catholic’s Sonita Rodriguez (rusher); North Catholic’s Lizzie Fabian (wide receiver); North Allegheny’s Luciana Zagacki (wide receiver), Danika Hogan (wide receiver) and Maddie Williams (linebacker); Moon’s Lilian Barr (rusher) and Maria Cortez (linebacker); Obama Academy’s Maria Nopaltecati (rusher) and DeAnna Perez-Hall (defensive back); Kiski Area’s Gianna DeVito (wide receiver); Carrick’s Niyah Walden (wide receiver); Gateway’s Israel Brown (defensive back); Woodland Hills’ Ahmya Stubbs (defensive back); and New Castle’s Ahlaina Armstrong (linebacker).
Chris Curd (Ellis) and Jason Russell (Moon) will coach the Pittsburgh team.
The round robin tournament will begin on May 23 with games at Mountain View Middle School in Mechanicsburg before the action moves to Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field, also in Mechanicsburg, for round three games and the championship on May 24. The contests on May 23 are free and open to the public, while the games on May 24 require a ticket. Those attending the girls flag football championship will have access for the 69th Big 33 Classic that will follow the flag football tournament.