In a first, organized female flag football hits Virginia high schools

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鈥� practice facility in Ashburn.

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Four teams squared off in the 鈥淏ubble鈥� 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.

鈥淚鈥檝e always loved football, and I love that it鈥檚 like a sisterhood,鈥� said Adriana, a 17-year-old senior at Gar-Field. She says she鈥檚 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, 鈥淕ar-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.鈥�

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

鈥淚 have three daughters,鈥� said former Commanders running back Brian Mitchell. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited about it because it gives them a chance to go out there and play a game that they love,鈥� Mitchell said.

鈥淲hen I heard about this game of flag, you know with the girls, I鈥檝e been intrigued just to know that we鈥檙e able to share our sport with them,鈥� 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 鈥� 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.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e very excited; they鈥檙e learning the sport, and they鈥檙e honing their athleticism,鈥� said Jillian Ross, head coach of the Osbourn Park High School girls flag football team.

鈥淚 feel good to be part of this team,鈥� said Eliana, who says this is her first year playing flag football. 鈥淚 feel like it鈥檚 basically a family here at Osbourne Park to do flag football, we can all relate on things together,鈥� 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.

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