FLAG FOOTBALL FIRST

By Shea Haile Courier Sports

GORDONSVILLE — A program-building season that concluded with a trip to the TSSAA (Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association) Class 1A flag football state tournament “Final Four” and a 20-2 record also produced Gordonsville High girls flag football’s first ever collegiate signee in 2026 graduate Christina Ray.

The three-sport athlete at GHS will continue her academic and athletic career at Lebanon’s Cumberland University as a member of the Phoenix flag football program.  

The Lady Tigers ball hawk tallied 24 interceptions along with seven picks returned for touchdowns.  Ray added 57 flag pulls (equivalent to tackles) to her defensive resume.

“Just really excited for Christina, she has had a great year,” said Gordonsville flag football head coach Brandy Jackson. “She has had a wonderful year coming out and with it being her first year playing — learning the sport, buying into our program and flourishing in what she does.”

“We really appreciate her coming in and I feel like her signing is going to help young ladies be excited about the sport — showing that this is a potential option for me also.”

Ray has competed in three different sports during her four years at GHS — tallying multiple state tournament trips in flag football, softball and volleyball. The former Tigerette softball player was part of back-to-back state championship squads and was a key contributer on the Tigerettes’ volleyball squad’s Class 1A championship appearance. 

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