For Stone Memorial Lady Panthers girls flag football player Aubrey Matthews, the rise of the sport has meant an opportunity she had been waiting on for years.
Long before she ever put on a uniform for Stone Memorial Lady Panthers, Matthews said she found herself drawn to the game.
“Ever since I was little, I’ve kind of just liked watching football alone and the concept of being abler to play it finally as a girl,” Matthews said. “When the opportunity came up, I felt like I could finally just play.”
When flag football arrived at Stone Memorial, Matthews said she did not hesitate. She joined immediately and has been part of the program since its earliest days, one of just five players still with the team from its inception. Matthews said that longevity has helped shape the program’s chemistry.
“We have really good team chemistry,” Matthews said. “Everybody works together. There’s not like cliques or certain groups of people. Everybody just gets along.”
On the field, Matthews has carved out a versatile role. She contributes as both a wide receiver and running back on offense, handling the ball frequently, including running plays roughly 40 percent of the time. Defensively, she takes on responsibilities at both safety and along the line, showcasing her willingness to do whatever the team needs.
“When we first started playing, it was considered a club [sport,]” Matthews said. “Now we have so many teams.”
As flag football continues to expand across Tennessee, players like Matthews are helping build it from the ground up, creating opportunities for the next generation to step onto the field with the same excitement she once felt watching from the sidelines.