ReportWire

Tag: Girls Flag Football

  • ‘Seeing the need’: Loudoun County adds girls flag football rec league – WTOP News

    [ad_1]

    The Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services is organizing its first girls’ flag football league this spring with a middle school and high school division.

    Young girls in Loudoun County, Virginia, interested in playing flag football will have a chance to do so in their own backyard.

    The Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services is organizing its first girls’ flag football league this spring. It will have a middle school and high school division.

    Sharon Moseley, the department’s youth sports program coordinator, told WTOP that girls of all ages are interested in the sport, and the league will make it more accessible to players in the county.

    “It was just a matter of seeing the need and trying to meet it,” Moseley said.

    The department will partner with Michael Rivera, who founded the Virginia Hurricanes girls’ flag football program and is currently the head coach of Marymount University’s women’s flag football team. Moseley said he brings the knowledge and passion for the sport, which makes it a great partnership.

    “We want to give them the opportunity to play at a competitive level, to be able to just continue playing a game that they love and are learning, but also to improve at that game so they can have successful high school careers,” Rivera said.

    Season runs for 6 weeks

    Preseason practices would begin in March, with the season starting on April 12. The spring season will run over six Sundays, culminating with the final slate of games on June 7. All the games will take place on the turf field at Loudoun County High School in Leesburg, allowing multiple games to be played at the same time, Rivera said.

    Families can register their child on the PRCS Connect page dedicated to flag football through March 1.

    Players are required to register individually but will be asked questions during the process about which team they want to play for. The league will also be open to out-of-county residents.

    While officials have been encouraging high school teams to register to play, Rivera said players of all skill levels are welcome to join and will be placed on a team to match their skill level.

    A combination of volunteers and experienced coaches will assist during the first season. Moseley hopes that high school players entering the league will motivate their coaches to also participate in the future.

    The addition of the flag football league comes as the sport continues to grow. Last September, 12 of the 13 high schools in Prince William County fielded girls flag football teams, four of which opened the inaugural season at the Washington Commanders training facility. Girls’ flag football also became a varsity sport in neighboring Maryland.

    Flag football to premiere at Olympics

    According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, the number of girls playing the game in high schools has more than doubled, with 42,955 girls participating in the 2023-24 season. Its increased popularity comes as a new collegiate flag football conference is set to begin in the spring, and the sport will debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics.

    Rivera, who’s been involved in the sport for over a decade, said that once girls try it, they are instantly hooked.

    “I have so many players who have just come out and just by trying it, realize how much they love it, and it clicks very, very quickly,” Rivera said. “So, we’re trying to make it accessible to as many girls as possible.”

    It costs $175 per player to join the league, with players receiving an NFL Flag Football jersey and a flag football belt. Players will be required to bring their own mouth guard and wear shorts or pants with no pockets as part of their uniform, Moseley said.

    Officials say the inclusion of middle school players will be a starting point in getting younger girls involved in the sport. Moseley added that eventually, the league will include elementary school children as well.

    “The younger we can start them and get them interested and get the skills and confidence, then they’re just going to thrive even more as they get older,” she said.

    Moseley said once the sport becomes an official varsity high school sport in Virginia, Loudoun County’s rec league will become a place for players to get “supplemental training.”

    While all skill levels are welcome, Rivera said players should expect a competitive environment on the gridiron in the spring.

    “We want to make sure we make meaningful athletic opportunities for these girls and just make sure that we are keeping pace with everybody else,” Moseley said. “We don’t want them falling behind because the opportunity isn’t there.”

    [ad_2]

    Jose Umana

    Source link

  • In a first, organized female flag football hits Virginia high schools – WTOP News

    [ad_1]

    Four Prince William County high school teams kicked off the first girls flag football season inside the “Bubble” at the Washington Commanders’ practice facility in Ashburn.

    For the first time, female high school students in Prince William County, Virginia, are playing organized flag football. And their opening games were held Tuesday at the Washington Commanders’ practice facility in Ashburn.

    This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker.
    In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.

    Prince William County introduces flag football for high school girls

    Four teams squared off in the “Bubble” a gigantic, white covered structure that has workout equipment and a regulation-size football field contained inside. Brentsville High School met Battlefield High, and Gar-Field played Osbourn Park.

    Twelve of the 13 high schools in Prince William County have fielded girls flag football teams after about two years of considering adding the sport.

    “I’ve always loved football, and I love that it’s like a sisterhood,” said Adriana, a 17-year-old senior at Gar-Field. She says she’s been playing football all her life and now appreciates the opportunity to play with girls from other schools within the county.

    Her coach, Ginger Scott, agrees, saying, “Gar-field has always been a home to me as an alumni and being a teacher now, so being able to bring a sport to the girls that love it, has been great.”

    The event at the Commanders’ facility on Tuesday was not only historic, it also drew out some Washington football legends as honorary coaches and cheerleaders.

    “I have three daughters,” said former Commanders running back Brian Mitchell. “I’m excited about it because it gives them a chance to go out there and play a game that they love,” Mitchell said.

    “When I heard about this game of flag, you know with the girls, I’ve been intrigued just to know that we’re able to share our sport with them,” said Santana Moss, a former Commanders wide receiver.

    Girls flag football is catching on.

    The National Federation of State High School Associations reports that participation in the 2024-25 school year increased by 60% compared to the year before — making it the fastest-growing high school sport for girls. Nearly 69,000 athletes took the field last year, and the number of schools offering the sport grew by almost 1,000 nationwide.

    “They’re very excited; they’re learning the sport, and they’re honing their athleticism,” said Jillian Ross, head coach of the Osbourn Park High School girls flag football team.

    “I feel good to be part of this team,” said Eliana, who says this is her first year playing flag football. “I feel like it’s basically a family here at Osbourne Park to do flag football, we can all relate on things together,” she said.

    Right now, 16 state associations officially sanction girls flag football, while another 18 states are running independent or pilot programs.

    The school system partnered with the Commanders to introduce girls to the sport, hosting a clinic in January at Woodbridge High School and two more in May.

    For now, competition is limited to Prince William County schools at the club level, though out-of-county opponents may be added in future seasons. The regular season runs through late October, with all teams advancing to the postseason. Semifinal and championship games will be held Nov. 8.

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    [ad_2]

    Alan Etter

    Source link

  • Burroughs Girls Flag Football Uses Second Half To Defeat Host Los Altos

    [ad_1]

    Burroughs scored 31 points in the second half and won 44-20 over Los Altos. (Photo courtesy Steve Garden)

    By Rick Assad

    Thirty-one points were hung by the Burroughs High girls’ flag football team in the second half and proved the difference Thursday afternoon against host Los Altos in a nonleague game.

    The Bears held a 13-6 lead at the intermission and routed the Conquerors 44-20.

    Senior quarterback Karisma Mendez, who also toils at wide receiver and linebacker, delivered five scoring passes and three came in the second half.

    Keith Knoop is the Burroughs athletic director and the flag football head coach and was pleased his team played well.

    “What stood out for me was the second half,” he said. “We executed and competed.”

    The Conquerors took an early 6-0 on the second play of the game after a 71-yard pass from quarterback Jasmine Campos to wide receiver Sophie Sedano with 10:59 left in the first period.

    The pass was bobbled a few times before Sedano controlled it and the short toss was turned into a long score.

    Now it was Mendez’s turn to shine as the senior field general delivered a 33-yard scoring strike to junior wide receiver/defensive back Lily Indefenzo on the seventh play of the march as 3:25 remained in the same frame. 

    The Bears played at Los Altos and came away winners. (Photo courtesy Steve Garden)

    The one-point conversion run by Mendez was successful as the Bears (5-8) led 7-6.

    Early in the second quarter, Mendez unloaded a 25-yard toss to junior wide receiver Krystal Villalta, who also plays defensive back, for a 13-6 lead on the fifth play of the excursion.

    Burroughs scored on three possessions in the third frame as Mendez tossed a 16-yard throw to junior wide receiver Isabella Estrada with 8:40 left, capping the six-play drive.

    When Mendez hit Estrada, who also plays defensive back, for the one-point conversion pass, it made the score 20-6.

    Mendez sent her fourth scoring pass to junior center/linebacker R’ae Boulanger, who grabbed an 11-yard pass on the fourth play of the march and 4:50 left on the clock for a 26-6 advantage.

    The score became 32-13 on one play when Mendez nailed Estrada with a short pass but the junior raced 70 yards as 52 seconds remained in the period.

    Senior Alyssa Prachasaisoradej delivered two scores as the senior quarterback/wide receiver/defensive back had a 28-yard run and 11:16 left on the clock in the fourth period for a 38-13 lead and added a 64-yard dash with 3:05 left in the game for a 24-point lead.

    The Conquerors (1-8) sliced the Bears’ margin to 26-13 on the sixth play after a three-yard pass from Campos with 1:15 remaining in the third period.

    Makayla Salcedo added a seven-yard scoring jaunt with 4:20 on the clock in the fourth quarter that narrowed the margin to 38-20, highlighting the 10-play drive.

    [ad_2]

    Rick Assad

    Source link

  • Burroughs Girls Flag Football Blanked By Notre Dame

    [ad_1]

    Quarterback Karisma Mendez tosses the ball downfield for Burroughs during a 24-0 setback against Notre Dame. (Photo courtesy Phil Hatten)

    By Rick Assad

    In a nonleague girls’ flag football game for Burroughs High, the Bears had possession of the ball eight times, failed to cross the goal line and lost to visiting Notre Dame 24-0 on Friday afternoon.

    Neither team scored in the first quarter at Memorial Field, but the Knights found the end zone with a three-play drive and 10:56 remaining in the second quarter.

    Junior quarterback Cadi Kuntz, who also plays wide receiver and strong safety, unloaded a 30-yard scoring pass to sophomore wide receiver Mikaela Edwards, who also plays safety, for a 6-0 lead. Kuntz’s two-point pass failed.

    Just before the second quarter ended and mere seconds on the clock, Kuntz found junior wide receiver Claire Cowles, who plays quarterback and safety, with a five-yard toss for a 12-0 advantage, highlighting a five-play march. Once again, Kuntz’s two-point conversion toss failed.

    The Knights (6-2) added an insurance touchdown on a five-play drive and led 18-8 with 6:37 left in the third quarter. The two-point pass from Kuntz didn’t find a receiver.

    A bit of trickery was involved on this scoring pass as Kuntz threw a lateral to junior wide receiver Taylor Ford, who plays linebacker and safety, who tossed a five-yard bullet to senior wide receiver Brooklyn Ravelo, who plays linebacker and safety.

    Notre Dame’s final tally came when Cowles chipped in with a two-yard run as 9:10 was left in the game that made it 24-0 and ended a five-play excursion. Cowles had a one-point conversion throw that missed the mark.

    Hailey Burns-Franco picking up yards for the Bears in a nonleague game versus the Knights. (Photo courtesy Phil Hatten)

    The Bears’ first possession was a five-play drive that ended when senior quarterback Karisma Mendez’s pass was intercepted by Cowles.

    Aside from quarterback, Mendez also plays wide receiver and linebacker. 

    On Burroughs’ next series, it was three plays and a punt, and the third possession also ended in a punt after three plays.

    In the second half, Burroughs’ next series went three plays and a punt and on the fifth series, the Bears used three plays before punting.

    The sixth drive was once again three plays and a punt while the seven possession featured seven plays.

    It included a 20-yard pass from senior quarterback/wide receiver/defensive back Alyssa Prachasaisoradej to junior wide receiver/defensive back Isabella Estrada.

    Another play was a 12-yard toss from Prachasaisoradej to senior running back/defensive back Hailey Burns-Franco and also a throw from Prachasaisoradej to Burns-Franco for five yards.

    The last time the Bears (3-7) had the ball the march consumed six plays and saw an eight-yard run and a 16-yard scamper from Prachasaisoradej and a nine-yard burst from sophomore running back/defensive back Kayla Duran as time ran out.

    The Bears play at La Canada this Monday at 6 p.m., meet host Marshall on Wednesday at the same time before taking on host Los Altos on Thursday at 4:15 p.m.

    BurCal Apartments8715

    [ad_2]

    Rick Assad

    Source link