The Southeast Bulloch Lady Yellow Jackets kicked off their 2024 flag football season with a doubleheader sweep on Fred Shaver Field, notching decisive victories against both McDonough and South Effingham. Their dynamic offense and unyielding defense were on full display, setting the tone for what looks to be a promising season.
Game 1: Southeast Bulloch vs. McDonough – 20-0
The first game of the night saw Southeast Bulloch dominate McDonough from the start, cruising to a 20-0 shutout victory. The Lady Yellow Jackets wasted no time making a statement, with senior Jaci Kitchings leading the charge.
Kitchings opened the scoring with an interception that she ran back for a touchdown, putting the Yellow Jackets on the board early. Natalya Odom added the extra point to give Southeast Bulloch a 7-0 lead. The defense continued to apply pressure, and Emma Cate Barron came through with another clutch interception.
Later in the first half, Kitchings struck again, scoring her second touchdown of the game. Although the extra point attempt was missed, Southeast Bulloch went into halftime with a solid 13-0 lead, thanks to another big defensive play by Odom, who picked off McDonough's quarterback with just two seconds remaining in the half.
The second half was a showcase of Southeast Bulloch’s defensive tenacity. Odom continued to make critical plays, including a great tackle to stop a McDonough drive. In the fourth quarter, Kitchings capped off her stellar performance with yet another touchdown, and Odom secured the extra point to seal the 20-0 victory.
Defensive highlights also included key tackles from Kelsey Johnson, Jadyn Williams and Hali Long, who brought down McDonough’s players with relentless energy throughout the game.
Game 2: Southeast Bulloch vs. South Effingham – 14-6
In the second game of the doubleheader, Southeast Bulloch took on South Effingham, delivering another strong performance and claiming a 14-6 win.
Jaci Kitchings once again got the Yellow Jackets off to a fast start, scoring the game’s first touchdown. She later connected with Kayla Adams for the extra point, giving Southeast Bulloch a 7-0 lead. On the defensive side, Jayden Williams continued to shine with another solid tackle, while Natalya Odom added to her impressive day with another interception.
With just 15.8 seconds left in the first half, Emma Cate Barron launched a deep throw to Addyson Gray, who made a spectacular catch to put the team in scoring position. In the second half, Hali Long showcased her versatility with a great run that set up Kitchings for another touchdown. Adams snagged the extra point, extending the Yellow Jackets’ lead to 14-0.
Defensively, Hali Long was everywhere, racking up tackles and even recording a sack late in the game. Kelsey Johnson took a hard hit but managed to shake it off and continue playing, embodying the toughness and grit that defined Southeast Bulloch’s night. However, South Effingham managed to break through the defense in the final moments, scoring a touchdown to close the gap to 14-6.
With stellar performances from all angles, including key contributions from veterans like Kitchings, Odom, and Adams, the Lady Yellow Jackets look poised for a strong season ahead.