By DRUW GIAMALVA, Sports Editor
BOAZ — The Boaz Lady Pirates flag football team kicked off the 2026 season with a statement victory over the Hope Christian Academy Saints on Tuesday evening with a 40-0 shutout win over the Saints.
“I feel good about this win,” Boaz head coach Will Penton said. “We came out and executed well. The offense didn’t have any turnovers which is what we are big on. Defense created some turnovers for us so I am excited about the win.”
The Pirates started on offense to start the game against the Saints. Boaz quarterback Peyton Hall started the game off strong in the passing game where she made multiple completed passes to Piper Hales, Arleigh Kate Mitchell, Lauren McKee and Jaylee Camper. The first drive was capped off with a Hall touchdown pass to Hales to make it a 7-0 Boaz lead.
After the Boaz defense caused the Saints to turn over the ball on downs, it would only take the Lady Pirates two plays to make it a 14-0 lead as Hall completed her second touchdown pass to Braelyn Burke. The Pirates entered the second quarter with a 14-0 lead over Hope Academy.
The Boaz defense would again hold the Saints to a three-and-out on their next offensive drive. With the ball back in the Lady Pirate’s hands, Hall would complete her third passing touchdown of the day with a score tossed to Mitchell. A failed 1-point conversion by Boaz would make it a 20-0 score.
Boaz would cause their first turnover of the day on the Saints with McKee catching an interception in her first career game with the Lady Pirates. McKee’s forced turnover would lead to Hall producing her fourth total touchdown on the ground to give Boaz a 27-0 halftime lead.
With most of the starters sitting out the second half, the Lady Pirates continued to perform well against the Saints. On their first offensive possession of the second half, seventh grade quarterback London Driver would toss her first passing touchdown of the night to Avelyn Matthews to make the score 34-0.
The final drive for Boaz would see Driver toss another touchdown to Matthews to close out the third quarter. The game would be called after the third quarter.
“I just want to see us come out and execute,” Penton said. “I feel like we’re more experienced. This is the first year we are experiencing a quarterback returning. We have always had the passion and the confidence but now we have that experience.”
The Lady Pirates (1-0) will return to the field on Thursday night when they take on Grissom at L.F. Corley Jr. Field. Kick off is set for 7 p.m.
Boaz quarterback Peyton Hall produced four total touchdowns in the 40-0 season opening victory over the Hope Christian Academy Saints on Tuesday night. Photo by DRUW GIAMALVA | The Leader
