Girl High School Flag Football Update
A HIGH SCHOOL WOMEN DIVISION will be added this fall to give local young ladies another opportunity to showcase their athletic ability and possibly earn a flag football scholarship that is now being offered by many universities and Jr. colleges.
EAST TEXAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY (Marshall, Tx.) and the entire American Southwest Conference will add Women flag football in 2026. Other members of the conference are Howard Payne (Brownwood, Tx.), Mary Hardin Baylor (Belton, Tx.), and Hardin Simmons (Abilene, Tx.). East Texas Baptist flag football coach, Maddie Melton, has reached out and plans to monitor the league for possible prospects. Also, East Texas Baptist University will host an open field to teach running drills and skills each Sunday, starting February 8. The open field will take place from 6 to 8 PM and is open to 9th to 12th graders and ETBU students.
Girls high school flag football is on the rise. With flag football sweeping the nation, the sport is expanding at an unprecedented rate. Schools across the country are recognizing the value of flag football as an official high school sport, paving the way for more girls to compete, earn college scholarships, and make history on the field.
As of today, over 30 states are offering girls high school football programs with 17 states that have officially state sanctioned championships. States like Florida, California and New York are leading the way, proving that flag football is here to stay.
Sanctioned States: Flag football is fully recognized as a varsity sport by the state high school athletic association. In many states, the season culminates with an official state championship. Pilot Programs: States are running flag football pilot test seasons in select schools to evaluate full adoption as a sanctioned sport As of July 2025, 17 states have officially sanctioned girls' flag football as a high school varsity sport: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Washington. These states recognize flag football as a varsity sport with official state association recognition, and many hold state championships. In addition to these, many other states have pilot programs to evaluate the sport for potential future sanctioning. State sanctioning means full recognition by the state, increased competition, and more resources for female athletes. It also opens doors for expanded youth participation and potential collegiate flag football programs. 22 other states, including Texas, are considering similar action. The sport’s inclusivity, low costs and fast-paced play make it an excellent addition to high school or college athletic departments.
The ladies are able to register and pay here online (Link Above). Also, just like the coed division, they are able to register as part of a team or individually and be placed on a team with other local players.
For those ladies who are hesitant about playing football, you are not alone. It may feel a little intimidating to some at first but flag football is so much fun it grows on you quickly.
Over the last decade, the growth of girls flag football has continued to accelerate. At the high school, collegiate, national and international levels, more and more female athletes are getting a chance to play the great game of football. Flag football being added to the slate for the 2028 Summer Olympics marks a giant leap forward for the game and its athletes
Whether you’re a player, parent, coach or administrator, now is the time to get involved! Learn more about how you can support flag football in your state, and be part of the fastest-growing girls sport in the country.
TEXAS Women High School Flag Football Updates:
FORT WORTH has become a national hot bed for girls high school flag football and has drawn the attention of college flag football coaches nationwide since the district added the sport in 2022. Texas Wesleyan is the first university in Texas to launch a varsity women’s flag football team that will begin competing in spring 2026. And since the university has already signed two recruits from Fort Worth it seems they've found a pipeline with Fort Worth ISD student-athletes.
HOUSTON ISD on April 14, 2025, announced the expansion of their Girls Flag Football Program to more than 80 high schools across Houston and Texas. Now in its third season, the program includes all 25 Houston ISD high schools, as well as high schools in Fort Bend, Alief, Stafford and Charter Schools in the Houston area.
DALLAS ISD is joining school districts across the state to form a high school girls flag football league. “We are thrilled that with girls’ flag football becoming an emerging sport at the collegiate level, the game can now provide these young women a path to continuing their education at a higher level as well.”
ARLINGTON ISD, with support from the Dallas Cowboys and a rapidly expanding league, this sport is opening new doors for young women in athletics. The excitement around high school girls’ flag football is growing fast!
CORPUS CHRISTI — A new opportunity is coming for young female athletes in Corpus Christi as the RISE Flag Football League prepares to launch its inaugural season this fall. The league will offer divisions for girls from 3rd grade to 10th grade and includes a seven-game season.
EL PASO – Region 19 Girls Flag Football officially began its pilot and championship season, the first ever of its kind in El Paso, on Monday, April 21, 2025. 39 teams representing eight school districts have the chance to compete throughout the season to grow the sport.
AUSTIN ISD is proud to announce the formation of a Girls Flag Football League, which will begin competitive play this Spring 2025, with support from the Dallas Cowboys organization.
DeSoto High School made history with the introduction of its first girls flag football team, joining multiple school districts across North Texas in expanding opportunities for female athletes. From football and basketball to track and field, DeSoto ISD has long been a powerhouse, and this latest addition offers another platform for student-athletes to showcase their skills.
EAST TEXAS cannot be too far off coach's radar, considering East Texas Baptist University (Marshall, Tx.) has added women flag football plus the growth of the sport all across the state. We plan to make sure we are noticed by inviting each colleges' flag football coach to include the East Texas Flag Football League in their scouting and recruiting process. We will contact as many college and university flag football coaches as possible to open lines of communication. We will establish a network with these coaches and provide game film for their evaluation when warranted. Tutorial Videos available on You Tube.
As of today, over 30 states are offering girls high school football programs with 17 states that have officially state sanctioned championships. States like Florida, California and New York are leading the way, proving that flag football is here to stay.
Sanctioned States: Flag football is fully recognized as a varsity sport by the state high school athletic association. In many states, the season culminates with an official state championship. Pilot Programs: States are running flag football pilot test seasons in select schools to evaluate full adoption as a sanctioned sport As of July 2025, 17 states have officially sanctioned girls' flag football as a high school varsity sport: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Washington. These states recognize flag football as a varsity sport with official state association recognition, and many hold state championships. In addition to these, many other states have pilot programs to evaluate the sport for potential future sanctioning. State sanctioning means full recognition by the state, increased competition, and more resources for female athletes. It also opens doors for expanded youth participation and potential collegiate flag football programs. 22 other states, including Texas, are considering similar action. The sport’s inclusivity, low costs and fast-paced play make it an excellent addition to high school or college athletic departments.
The ladies are able to register and pay here online (Link Above). Also, just like the coed division, they are able to register as part of a team or individually and be placed on a team with other local players.
For those ladies who are hesitant about playing football, you are not alone. It may feel a little intimidating to some at first but flag football is so much fun it grows on you quickly.
Over the last decade, the growth of girls flag football has continued to accelerate. At the high school, collegiate, national and international levels, more and more female athletes are getting a chance to play the great game of football. Flag football being added to the slate for the 2028 Summer Olympics marks a giant leap forward for the game and its athletes
Whether you’re a player, parent, coach or administrator, now is the time to get involved! Learn more about how you can support flag football in your state, and be part of the fastest-growing girls sport in the country.
TEXAS Women High School Flag Football Updates:
FORT WORTH has become a national hot bed for girls high school flag football and has drawn the attention of college flag football coaches nationwide since the district added the sport in 2022. Texas Wesleyan is the first university in Texas to launch a varsity women’s flag football team that will begin competing in spring 2026. And since the university has already signed two recruits from Fort Worth it seems they've found a pipeline with Fort Worth ISD student-athletes.
HOUSTON ISD on April 14, 2025, announced the expansion of their Girls Flag Football Program to more than 80 high schools across Houston and Texas. Now in its third season, the program includes all 25 Houston ISD high schools, as well as high schools in Fort Bend, Alief, Stafford and Charter Schools in the Houston area.
DALLAS ISD is joining school districts across the state to form a high school girls flag football league. “We are thrilled that with girls’ flag football becoming an emerging sport at the collegiate level, the game can now provide these young women a path to continuing their education at a higher level as well.”
ARLINGTON ISD, with support from the Dallas Cowboys and a rapidly expanding league, this sport is opening new doors for young women in athletics. The excitement around high school girls’ flag football is growing fast!
CORPUS CHRISTI — A new opportunity is coming for young female athletes in Corpus Christi as the RISE Flag Football League prepares to launch its inaugural season this fall. The league will offer divisions for girls from 3rd grade to 10th grade and includes a seven-game season.
EL PASO – Region 19 Girls Flag Football officially began its pilot and championship season, the first ever of its kind in El Paso, on Monday, April 21, 2025. 39 teams representing eight school districts have the chance to compete throughout the season to grow the sport.
AUSTIN ISD is proud to announce the formation of a Girls Flag Football League, which will begin competitive play this Spring 2025, with support from the Dallas Cowboys organization.
DeSoto High School made history with the introduction of its first girls flag football team, joining multiple school districts across North Texas in expanding opportunities for female athletes. From football and basketball to track and field, DeSoto ISD has long been a powerhouse, and this latest addition offers another platform for student-athletes to showcase their skills.
EAST TEXAS cannot be too far off coach's radar, considering East Texas Baptist University (Marshall, Tx.) has added women flag football plus the growth of the sport all across the state. We plan to make sure we are noticed by inviting each colleges' flag football coach to include the East Texas Flag Football League in their scouting and recruiting process. We will contact as many college and university flag football coaches as possible to open lines of communication. We will establish a network with these coaches and provide game film for their evaluation when warranted. Tutorial Videos available on You Tube.