Kyleigh Sizemore has been a big reason for the Long County Blue Tide flag football team’s success in their first two seasons. She has been honored once again for her success on the field after she was named 912Sports Magazine Flag Football Player of the Year for the second year in a row.
In an awards ceremony streamed live on Facebook on April 27, the junior quarterback was named as the player of the year for flag football for large schools. Sizemore was shocked to receive the honor, calling it “a surreal feeling to win it two years in a row.”
“I was in shock when I first heard that I had received player of the year,” she said. “Knowing the talent we have in our area, I’m extremely blessed to even be recognized.”
In two years with the Tide, Sizemore has helped them become one of the premier programs in the state. In back-to-back quarterfinals appearances, Sizemore threw for nearly 3,700 yards and has scored 68 total touchdowns.
Sizemore credits her teammates and coaches for her success, specifically giving credit to Tide head coach Paul Austin. Sizemore says he has always reminded her and her teammates to “be elite,” something she says “we have taken that to heart.”
“First off, my success rests on the group of girls and coaches I have around me,” Sizemore said. “They have picked me up when I’ve been down, came through when I struggled, and always seemed to make me look good. Second would be the mentality and atmosphere of our team...I can truly trust every player on my team to give everything they have.”
Austin has been mentoring Sizemore every step of the way in her career and has been excited to see her progress both on and off the field.
“I’ve coached tackle football over 15 years, most of them as a quarterback coach. Kyleigh is by far the most complete I’ve ever coached,” Austin said. “She makes her reads, she’s calm in the pocket and has a really quick release. Her arm strength is off the charts, throwing around 40-50 miles per hour.”
However, it is not just the measurables that Austin loves about having Sizemore on his squad and he even believes that her biggest intangible outshines her play.
“Her leadership on the field is her strongest trait,” Austin said. “She is truly the coach on the field. She knows what every position is supposed to do for every play and normally tells each player in huddle where to go. She is a true leader...I’m truly blessed I get to coach her.”
With 22 wins, two region runner-up trophies, and two quarterfinal appearances in her first two seasons, Sizemore is sad about this being her last season, but excited about the possibility of competing for region and state championships.
“I’m extremely sad that this will be my last year,” Sizemore said. “I have fallen in love with this sport and this team. I’m so excited to spend my last year with my team and can’t wait to see what this year holds for us.”
The 2023 flag football season kicks off in September.