Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Jefferson County's middle school football team started working out early in the summer, building strength, conditioning and studying strategies. As the season approached, several parents and two local deputies joined Head Coach Kiauna Izliah-Nealy and Assistant Coach Kalil Browdy in keeping practices organized, productive and motivating.
Then, as with almost any sports program, Coach Izzy hoped her middle school Tigers would have a winning season, and they did!
Especially sweet was a 26-6 victory at Florida High, whose 54-player team they beat with just 17 players. Coach Izzy likened this triumph to the biblical Gideon, whose small army of 300 defeated a much more numerous foe. After that, her team was tagged “Izzy's 300.”
The team captains – eighth grader Karim Woods and seventh grader Jaylin Ghee – helped lead the team by season's end to four wins, three losses and a tie.
It's a promising start for someone who is new to coaching football. Izliah-Nealy moved from Central Florida to join the faculty at Jefferson County K-12 Community Partnership School (JCS) as an ESE teacher in the 2023-24 school year. That year she also coached cheerleading and track/field. While she's been coaching a variety of youth sports since 2017, this was her first time heading up a football team.
It all came about when the team lost its coach and her twin sons, who play on the team, asked her to step in. She said “yes,” and in doing so became the first female head football coach in the school district's history. In addition to the encouragement from her younger sons, Izliah-Nealy is grateful that two of her other sons and her husband also supported her in this new role. Her son Danny Browdy Jr., who has a football scholarship at the University of South Dakota, helped out with the summer training. Assistant Coach Kalil Browdy, also her son, brought to the team his experience playing semi-pro football. Her husband, Adrian Nealy, was able to attend all but one game.
“I am also super grateful,” Izliah-Nealy told the Monticello News, “for Coaches Bright, Powell and Miami – all varsity coaches who have taken the time to help me learn to read the defense so I can adjust my strategy during games.”
Students who participated this season included Lathan Boucher, Jay Burrus, Kendrick Ghee, Mar’Ques Grayer, Zyen Grayer, Matthew Maier, Rontiell McCray, Jaidon McRae, Rontrey Spearman, Reshard Tyson, D’Leon Woods, Karim Woods, Jaylin Ghee, A’zhla Washington,
Maurice Arnold, Ty’Avion Crumity, Zaevion Ellis, Stacey Ivey, Emerson Mercer, Sheldon Washington, Jamar Walker, Trenton Strickland, Colten Turner and Aven Ball.
In addition to teaching and coaching, Izliah-Nealy is the pastor and founder of Grace & Mercy Kingdom Church in Quincy, Fla. This season, she brought her faith to the football field, and one day the opposite happened: her football players filled her church.
“On my birthday, over half the team showed up at our service!” she exclaims. “That was a real surprise and special treat.”
That's also a testament to the powerful bond she's made with the Tigers Middle School Football Team.
Photo Courtesy