Sports

Destin flag football earns first playoff win in school history

The Lady Sharks defeated Bradford 25-0 on the road Tuesday night, earning the first playoff victory in Destin High School history.

Travis Espy

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History was made Tuesday night for Destin High School and the Destin community.

The Destin flag football team defeated Bradford 25-0 on the road in their regional quarterfinal matchup, securing not only the first playoff win in program history, but the first playoff win in the history of Destin High School since becoming a member of the FHSAA.

The victory came in large part thanks to an athlete who is quickly building a case as one of the most impactful in the school’s history: Neilya Stewart.

Stewart, who was also the on-court leader of the girls basketball team that made history this year as the first team in school history to win a district championship and qualify for the playoffs, has now led Destin flag football to its first playoff win.

She turned in a four-touchdown performance, throwing scoring passes to Kaylee Kaiser and Evie Gherdovich while also rushing in twice for touchdowns of her own.

For the first time, these words can be said: Destin is moving on to the Sweet 16.

The Lady Sharks will face Florida High in a rematch of the district championship Monday in Tallahassee. Florida High won that earlier meeting 31-0 and advanced to the regional semifinal by defeating West Nassau 30-6.

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