OHSAA sanctions championship event for girls flag football

COLUMBUS --The OHSAA announced Thursday that it will sanction a state championship event in girls flag football, beginning next spring. The announcement was made at a press conference in Canton, with representatives from the NFL, the Cleveland Browns, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A girls High School Flag Football division was created in northwest Ohio in 2021, led by the Browns. There were 20 schools that had a team three years ago. Now, there are 80. "We are pleased that the OHSAA Board of Directors has approved the sanctioning of girls flag football as an OHSAA sponsored championship event," said OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute in a release. "Flag football is growing rapidly and we look forward to working closer with teams, coaches and schools to help that growth." The sport has been added by 100 college club and varsity programs; 17 high school state sanctioned flag football with a state tournament. It will be included as a sport in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Girls flag football will remain a spring sport. The Browns and Bengals hosted the inaugural Girls High School Flag Football State Championship in May in Massillon. "Ohio becoming the latest state to sanction girls flag football is a testament to the strong growth and appeal of the sport," said Stephanie Kwok, NFL Vice President, Head of Flag Football said in the release.