High school flag football: 3 Kingston players earn Section 9 honors

Kingston High School flag football Captain Caroline Connolly. Photo taken March 31, 2023 (Tania Barricklo/Daily Freeman)

KINGSTON, N.Y. — Kingston High senior Caroline Connolly was named to the All-Section 9 girls flag football team and senior teammates Jordan Perry and Mackenzie Martin garnered all-star honors for the 2024 spring season.

Connolly was named as a member of the All-Section 9 squad (the highest honor) as a wide receiver and linebacker. She was also on the all-star team.

Perry was selected as an all-star at H-back on offense and safety on defense. Martin was named as an all-star at quarterback and linebacker.

Connolly, who was named the Tigers’ Most Valuable Player at the postseason awards banquet, set a school record by hauling in 10 passes in one game. She also caught nine passes twice. On defense, she had 10 flag pulls twice and two pick-sixes for touchdowns.

“Caroline was a tremendous wide receiver this year,” Kingston coach Mike Dittus said. “When other teams got film on us, they double-teamed her and she still got open. She set records for yardage as well. On defense, she was a machine pulling flags for us.”

Perry earned the Most Versatile Tiger Award for her two-way play this past season.

“Jordan’s ability to play multiple positions on both sides of the ball and special teams was a true gift,” Dittus said. “On defense, she played at all three levels — safety, linebacker and (pass) rusher.”

Martin established records for completion percentage and total yards at quarterback in her senior season. She switched to quarterback from other positions on offense for her final campaign.

“Mackenzie did a great job switching to quarterback this season,” Dittus said. “On defense, she called the signals for us. She had three pick-sixes for touchdowns this year and was a force at middle linebacker.”

The trio of seniors led the Tigers to their second straight appearance in the Section 9 postseason playoffs in the second year of the program’s existence. Their season ended with a 6-7-1 mark following a heartbreaking 6-0 five-overtime loss to third-seeded Pine Bush on May 14. Kingston was the No. 6 seed.

“It’s my privilege and honor to announce the three All-Stars and an All-Section player for the 2024 girls varsity flag football team for Kingston High School,” Dittus said. “These three players are all graduating and are irreplaceable. I am very fortunate I got to coach them. I’ll never forget it.”

Kingston outscored its opponents by a 183-108 margin, posting six shutouts in 2024.

Highlights during the regular season for Kingston included Division I (large school) wins over Warwick and Washingtonville (twice) and a 6-6 deadlock with archrival Newburgh Free Academy. The Tigers also beat Section 9 Division II titlist Saugerties 13-0 on April 19.