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Birmingham Public School District rivals Groves and Seaholm will co-op in girls flag football, at least for the inaugural Oakland Activities Association season this fall.
The district officially announced the move this week after months of discussion.
Whether the co-op carries over into the Michigan Girls High School Flag Football League next spring remains undecided.
“It’s a pilot program,” longtime Falcons coach Geoff Wickersham said during the Reaction Technologies Girls Flag Football Showcase and Development Camp on Friday, June 26, at Groves. “If we have 30 girls come out for Groves and 30 from Seaholm, that’s where our AD will have to get with their AD and make a decision about having two separate teams in the spring. It’s all up in the air for spring, and it’ll be based on sign-ups.”
TWO=SPORT STAR? Linebacker Natalie Jordan's future isn't just playing college hockey
That's the biggest question.
Wickersham expects athletes from lacrosse, soccer and track and field to play this fall because those sports won't be in season. He's not as confident they'll be available in the spring.
“We might not even have the same girls return,” Wickersham said. “We lose a few of those athletes in the spring, despite the number of soccer and lacrosse girls who play powder puff every fall.”
The co-op should still benefit both schools.
Groves was shorthanded twice this past spring. The Falcons missed several starters against rival Clawson because of orchestra, dance and DECA. They also dressed only 16 players for a non-league game at Brighton.
MUST READ: Meet the 2026 Michigan high school girls flag football all-state team
That was a big reason why the Falcons finished 1-4 overall and 1-3 in the All Us League, despite landing five players on the Free Press' inaugural All-State team. Running back Aliyah Wright, receiver JaLayah Buffin-Pitts and center Ella Kecskemeti earned second-team honors, while quarterback Ke'lko Buskin and running back Morgan Bass were honorable mentions.
For Seaholm, the co-op gives its athletes a chance to compete at the state's highest level. Because the decision came so close to the season, the team will wear Groves uniforms this fall. If the partnership continues into the spring, the schools could order custom United uniforms similar to those used by their hockey and lacrosse co-ops.
No matter what happens next spring, Wickersham expects the added numbers to help the Falcons rebound from a one-win season and better compete with their rivals.
“I welcome it because I want more numbers,” Wickersham said. “I think if we can get the best athletes from both schools, then we can compete. We’ve got to be able to compete against [Auburn Hills] Oakland Christian, and we’ve got to compete against Clawson.”
Brandon Folsom covers high school sports in metro Detroit for Hometown Life and the Detroit Free Press. Follow him on X at @folsomwrites.
This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Birmingham Groves, Seaholm to field joint squad in girls flag football
Continue reading...
The district officially announced the move this week after months of discussion.
Whether the co-op carries over into the Michigan Girls High School Flag Football League next spring remains undecided.
“It’s a pilot program,” longtime Falcons coach Geoff Wickersham said during the Reaction Technologies Girls Flag Football Showcase and Development Camp on Friday, June 26, at Groves. “If we have 30 girls come out for Groves and 30 from Seaholm, that’s where our AD will have to get with their AD and make a decision about having two separate teams in the spring. It’s all up in the air for spring, and it’ll be based on sign-ups.”
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TWO=SPORT STAR? Linebacker Natalie Jordan's future isn't just playing college hockey
That's the biggest question.
Wickersham expects athletes from lacrosse, soccer and track and field to play this fall because those sports won't be in season. He's not as confident they'll be available in the spring.
“We might not even have the same girls return,” Wickersham said. “We lose a few of those athletes in the spring, despite the number of soccer and lacrosse girls who play powder puff every fall.”
The co-op should still benefit both schools.
Groves was shorthanded twice this past spring. The Falcons missed several starters against rival Clawson because of orchestra, dance and DECA. They also dressed only 16 players for a non-league game at Brighton.
You must be registered for see images attach
MUST READ: Meet the 2026 Michigan high school girls flag football all-state team
That was a big reason why the Falcons finished 1-4 overall and 1-3 in the All Us League, despite landing five players on the Free Press' inaugural All-State team. Running back Aliyah Wright, receiver JaLayah Buffin-Pitts and center Ella Kecskemeti earned second-team honors, while quarterback Ke'lko Buskin and running back Morgan Bass were honorable mentions.
For Seaholm, the co-op gives its athletes a chance to compete at the state's highest level. Because the decision came so close to the season, the team will wear Groves uniforms this fall. If the partnership continues into the spring, the schools could order custom United uniforms similar to those used by their hockey and lacrosse co-ops.
No matter what happens next spring, Wickersham expects the added numbers to help the Falcons rebound from a one-win season and better compete with their rivals.
“I welcome it because I want more numbers,” Wickersham said. “I think if we can get the best athletes from both schools, then we can compete. We’ve got to be able to compete against [Auburn Hills] Oakland Christian, and we’ve got to compete against Clawson.”
Brandon Folsom covers high school sports in metro Detroit for Hometown Life and the Detroit Free Press. Follow him on X at @folsomwrites.
This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Birmingham Groves, Seaholm to field joint squad in girls flag football
Continue reading...
