Oxford (AL) – Oxford flag captain Lindsey always dreamed of playing the position “because I have to”
By Mark Everett Kelly
Gabrielle Lindsey is a standout in any crowd. The Oxford girls flag football team’s freshman quarterback is six feet tall. She loves to show off her rocket arm.
She says, “I have always wanted to be a QB because it is what I am good at,”
Lindsey will display that arm Wednesday in the most important game of her professional career when she leads the Oxford offense in the second-ever flag-football state championship game against Auburn High at the university’s Jordan-Hare Stadium. After coming so close the previous year, it will mark the Lady Jackets first trip to the finals.
Lindsey’s football history includes playing in a boys tackle football league in fifth grade.
She said, “I was larger than most of them,” “At first, they teased me, but then I was able to play,” she said.
Anniston joined Oxford as the Calhoun County school (60 total) that participated in the inaugural state season of Flag Football.
Christy Shepard was contacted by Wes Brooks when he learned about the new league. His interest in the job was centered around his desire to spend more time with his children Skylar, Sawyer, and Payton.
Brooks’s coaching career has already seen remarkable accomplishments since Josh Niblett brought him to Oxford in 2005, as the defensive line coach/head baseball coach. Brooks was an exceptional athlete at Wellborn State and Jacksonville State. He is one of 16 Alabama’s head baseball coaches who has won 500 games.
Shepard was the GM of the Alabama Fire of WFA and the star offensive lineman. Shepard was the Oxford administration’s director of Human Resources. Shepard, along with her brother Gerald Wallace, a former NBA All-Star, went to Childersberg High School.
Brooks said that Christy knew Gabrielle’s mom and that she was playing 7-on-7 flag football with boys. I sent Brooks an email. She immediately replied by email saying that she was interested in the job and that you should try it.
It wasn’t long before Lindsey impressed the coaching staff at tryouts.
Brooks explained that one of the footballs made its way towards Gabrielle. Gabrielle picked it up, and fired back a bullet. Brooks explained that she knew this was her chance to prove what she could do.
Jake Hammond is the son of Chris Hammond, a former MLB pitcher, and Brooks’ assistant coaching coach in 2021. He said on the spot: “I think that we got ourselves an QB.”
Reygan and Lindsey White are the two-headed beasts at quarterback for the Lady Jackets offense. White leads in rushing yards (737), touchdowns (21), and Lindsey leads passing yards (1.721) and TDs (21).
Brooks stated that Lindsey is an “OK runner” but not a “broken play runner”. Brooks said that if the play is set up properly for a run, she can do it much better.
Oxford scored 335 more points than its opponents this season while scoring an average of 21.6 points per game. There are many weapons available to it. Its weapons are numerous.
The Lady Jackets’ advanced game plan is dependent on players’ ability and willingness to adjust. Brooks was a coach for many NFL players, including Bobby McCain, Kwon Alexander and Tae Davis, while also coaching with Todd Bates, John Grass and Niblett.
Most people struggle to understand the complex terminology of football. Lindsey and her team have mastered it.
Lindsey said, “I like learning about X and O’s,” and that Najee Harris is her favorite player. “It’s not difficult for me because football is my passion and I grew-up watching and studying the plays.”
The 44-year-old head coach is impressed by their ability to play on both ends of the ball.
Brooks said that they have a complicated Tampa Bay (Buccaneers), defensive system with multiple check downs and preplay movement. Brooks’ defense allowed only six points to win their playoff games. Their intelligence and ability to correct and adjust quickly are extraordinary.”
Coaches and players noticed a significant improvement in Lindsey’s ability to read defenses and adjust throws with touch.
We lost a game against Vestavia. She had a climb route and she had to understand the safety. Brooks stated that normally, I would tell Brooks what she should be looking out for but for some strange reason, I didn’t. Brooks said, “She began to tuck and run, but she finally found an open receiver. I knew that she was learning and thinking on her own.”
What more can the Lady Jackets ask of someone who is just beginning to understand her talents? Brooks says the sky is the limit.
He said that she will become more adept at finding the third/fourth receiver as well as when to tuck and go. She’ll be unstoppable when she reaches that point.
While development is important for quarterbacks leading teams, we are often our worst critics. How does Lindsey measure her progress? Lindsey says that she used to struggle throwing on the run and throwing far, but now it’s easier. She has a dream of becoming the Oxford starting quarterback since she was a child.
Yes.
