This game will be the first high school flag football game played in Northern Arizona.
On Dec. 12, 2022, Arizona became the sixth state to sanction Girls Flag Football as an official sport.
It was on a bus in the middle of winter when FHS Athletic Director Jeannine Brandel brought up the possibility of girls flag football.
“We were coming back from one of those soccer games we had to play at Mingus because our field was all snowy,” Brandel said. “I just kind of casually mentioned to the girls that we were looking at doing flag football this year, and they just totally went wild.”
The NFL donated $100,000 to the Arizona Interscholastic Association once flag football was voted to become an official sport. The NFL paid for a grant to allow Nike to supply uniforms, equipment and anything else new teams needed to start playing.
Flagstaff High School already had a field, down markers and other equipment. Brandel said receiving jerseys and footballs from the NFL was the biggest factor in taking on the sport.
Flagstaff High School is home to the Eagles’ varsity, junior varsity and freshmen tackle football teams. Brandel said that sharing time on the field would be the most difficult challenge to figure out for flag football this fall. However, the announcement has gained a lot of internal and community support.
“It is going to be a challenge, but the exciting part is that our football coach is really excited about it and I think all the players think it’s a good thing,” Brandel said. “We’ve got good buy-in and people are really supportive of each other.”
Although FHS is one of the first schools in Northern Arizona to add flag football, various schools in the Valley started club flag football in the spring last year, which generated more interest in the sport.
Arizona Interscholastic Association President and Perry High School Athletic Director Jennifer Burks was a leader in the movement. She said the AIA has been considering adding the sport for about 15 years. Burks attended the 2023 NFL annual meeting and spoke to the head coaches and owners there. She explained how flag football started in Arizona and how the Arizona Cardinals organization is helping to support the sport’s growth within the state.
“The Cardinals have had coaching and player development clinics,” Burks said. “They have a section on their website dedicated to youth flag football. During their halftime at one of their games, they had small field games where all the girls were playing to showcase them.”
Burks served as the AIA vice president last year. Before that, she chaired the organization’s Women’s Equity Committee. Chandler Unified School District was one of the first to host a girl’s flag football tournament.
“I expect we [Arizona] will be hosting flag football tournaments,” Burks said. “I can envision tons of people coming to watch. It will be a regular sport. It will feel like volleyball or basketball does now in a year or two – I’m sure it’s going to happen that quickly.”
This is not the first time Arizona has been eager to lead the way for other states to try new sports. Arizona made history in 2012 for being the first to add sand volleyball in high schools. Flag football is another opportunity for Arizona to give girls more opportunities to compete.
Meanwhile, Brandel has high hopes and big dreams for this new FHS team. “I don’t know if I am going to be able to pull this off, but I want to play one of my flag football games as the first part of a double-header at the NAU Skydome and follow it with our football team,” Brandel said. “I am not sure if it will happen, but you’ve got to dream big. What a great chance for those young ladies to play in front of a big crowd in a big stadium.”
The AIA has decided to have two divisions: the 6A and 5A conference, both vying for state championships. The conferences will compete in 12 games total on Tuesday and Thursday nights. The 6A division will consist of schools from Chandler Unified, Tempe Union and Mesa school districts, which already have playing experience. Flagstaff High School will play in the 5A division against other smaller schools and schools that are adding the sport this year. Burks explained that this plan was implemented by the AIA to grant more success to the programs.
“I am super excited for Flagstaff and all of those teams outside of the Phoenix-metro area to add flag football,” Burks said. “It will be another option for girls that is well supported and well attended.”
Thus, the Eagles will make history on Aug. 31 when they face Agua Fria at home. This game will be the first high school flag football game played in Northern Arizona.
“I am just excited. I am excited for the chance to be at the forefront. I think it’s a great opportunity we have,” Brandel said. FBN
By Ava Nichols, FBN
Courtesy Photo: AIA President Jennifer Burks stands in front of a screen in a presentation to NFL coaches and owners about the Arizona Cardinals organization’s support of girls flag football within the state.