The Newburgh youth led the way.

Three eighth graders – Kallie McCoy, Saraji Good and Janiya Coleman - were named Section 9 flag football all-stars after leading the Newburgh Free Academy Goldbacks to a 9-6-1 record and a berth in the Section 9 Division I tournament. Junior Mckayla Rafferty also was named a Section 9 all-star.

“These Goldbacks were instrumental in helping the Goldbacks win nine games this year, improving from just a two-win season the year before,” Newburgh coach Liam Henderson said.

The Goldbacks’ fortunes were dictated by McCoy, who played quarterback for the team’s final 11 games. She threw for 1,500 yards and ran for 1,400. She ran for 16 touchdowns and threw for 14.

“She was also a ballhawk on defense,” Newburgh coach Liam Henderson said.

She showed that at free safety, where she picked off opposing quarterbacks 17 times.

Good served as the Goldbacks’ main running back, rushing for 500 yards. She had 400 receiving yards and scored four offensive touchdowns. She also was a force on defense, registering 14 sacks of opposing quarterbacks and two interceptions.

While McCoy and Good provided most of the offense, Henderson said Coleman was “a source of constant pressure for our defense.” She had 16 sacks, three safeties and two interceptions. She also played some offense and added 150 rushing yards.

Rafferty rarely came off the field for the Goldbacks and Henderson said she was their go-to receiver during crunch time.

She had 600 receiving yards and hauled in seven touchdowns.

“She was at her best going up for contested catches,” Henderson said.