Flag football on rise for high school females
The popularity of female flag football is simple.
“The NFL remains popular and girls like football,” said Michael Rost, who coaches the Mt. Lebanon flag team with Shawn Curren.
The simplicity of the game is also appealing.
“The flag game is approachable for anyone that can run, catch, and pull flags,” Rost said. “You do not need specialized training to participate. While we have a number of girls from other sports like soccer, basketball, and track, we also have girls for whom this is their first experience with organized team sports.”
Nicole Hipkins agreed that the sport doesn’t require years of specialized training nor does one need private coaching or club experience to be successful.
“Flag football allows students to jump right in,” she said. “It opens the door for a wider range of athletes to get involved, make an impact and represent their school and community in a meaningful way.”
Hipkins, who is an assistant principal and an English department facilitator, coaches the Bethel Park high school varsity with her husband Dan, who is the offensive coordinator and Josh Kicinski. A middle school math teacher, Kicinski has coached many sports but discovered the groundbreaking sport of flag football to be “intriguing, fresh and exciting” so he jumped on the bandwagon.
So did many of the Lady Black Hawks. Many are new to the sport although they are acquainted with football.
“Flag football offers a unique and empowering opportunity to compete in a sport that has traditionally been male-dominated,” Hipkins added.
Along with Upper St. Clair, the Black Hawks and the Blue Devils have dominated the South Hills flag football scene this spring.
While winners of the Girls Flag Football League last year and undefeated this spring, the Panthers enter the WPIAL playoffs as the team to beat. Lebo’s lone loss this season was to USC, 28-0, on April 25. Bethel Park, which lost to the Panthers, 27-19, on April 9 was 10-4 heading into the postseason.
The WPIAL playoffs commence May 5 and Mt. Lebanon is the host site for first-round action at 5 and 6:30 p.m. as well as the quarterfinal contests which will begin at 8 p.m.
Semifinal and championship action moves over to Upper St. Clair on May 7. The winners of games scheduled for 5 and 6:30 p.m. will vie for the first WPIAL title at 8 p.m.
Regardless of the outcome, flag football is here to stay. Next year, it will be a full PIAA sport with state championships. Currently, many colleges are adding flag football as varsity programs or club sports.
“I see the sport continuing to grow,” Rost said. “It’s easy to get involved in and fun to play.”
At Bethel Park, the game has thrived. Hipkins says that flag football “gives female athletes a chance to showcase their athleticism, competitiveness and teamwork in a sport that feels both familiar and new.”
Though in its infancy, the Lady Hawks laid the foundation for flag football three years ago. Past athletes played a critical role in establishing a culture rooted in hard work and grit.
“There’s something special about being part of a program from the ground up,” Hipkins said. “Many of our athletes take pride in wearing a brand-new uniform for a team that didn’t exist just a few years ago. It creates a sense of ownership and excitement that’s hard to replicate.”
While many of the Lady Hawks are new to the sport and have learned terminology, positions and skills quickly, they have also been able to transfer key skills such as agility, spatial awareness, footwork and communication into a new setting.
“That challenge of learning something new while still feeling capable is a big part of the appeal,” Hipkins said. “It’s also fairly unique to have a varsity-level sport where many athletes are still developing foundational skills on a recreational level. That creates a really inclusive, team-first environment where effort, adaptability and competitiveness matter just as much as experience.”
While some experienced athletes, such as those committed to club sports like volleyball, soccer, and basketball, have precluded their participation because of schedules, Bethel Park has attracted an eclectic group of players. The roster is replicated with musicians, hockey players, cheerleaders, DECA members as well as a few AAU basketball players and club volleyball participants.
“For those motivated to juggle multiple commitments, we have been willing to accommodate this year,” Hipkins said. “Flag football can absolutely serve as a refreshing change of pace that keeps these athletes active and competitive while at the same time reinforcing core athletic skills that carry over into their primary sports. It ends up being a win-win in supporting development and helping to prevent burnout from the year-round grind.”
Currently, Bethel Park is considering creating a middle school program and adding a recreation league. A community skills camp will be offered in June.
“To encourage girls to view flag football as an avenue to stretch their athletic prowess and hone their skills,” explained Hipkins.
As a result, Hipkins is excited about the future of the sport, especially since opportunities to play at the collegiate level and beyond are increasing.
“I see this program becoming the primary sport for a population of girls instead of an afterthought in the spring,” Hipkins said.