Isabella Pap, a captain and junior quarterback for Gilbert’s Campo Verde High School, recorded 41 touchdowns and threw for over 4,300 yards in the second season of flag football for Arizona high schools. Campo Verde advanced to the 2024 semifinals. (Photo by Daniella Trujillo/Cronkite News)
PHOENIX – Ever since the Arizona Interscholastic Association voted to sanction girls flag football as a varsity competition for the 2023-2024 school year, the sport has taken off at a variety of levels.
Among high schools in the state, participation increased from 55 teams to 102 in just one season, the AIA reports.
Mountain Pointe sophomore Simone Thomas attempts to kick a field goal during a game against Campo Verde. She finished ranked fifth in the nation and has made 57 points this season. (Photo by Daniella Trujillo/Cronkite News)
The 2024 season wrapped up in late November, with Chandler’s Hamilton High School capturing the 6A title, Waddell’s Canyon View High winning the 5A and St. Mary’s winning the 4A.
Left: Naomi Ndayizeye, a junior linebacker for Hamilton High, helps up Xavier College Preparatory wide receiver Giulianna Bulkley after a play. Center: Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride attends the first Arizona Cardinals High School Flag Football Game of the Week between Hamilton and Xavier. State Farm served as a sponsor. Right: After watching the Hamilton-Xavier Prep game, Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill joins the players to take a group photo. (Photos by Daniella Trujillo/Cronkite News)
To help promote the growth of the sport, the Arizona Cardinals joined State Farm and Arizona Farmily to showcase eight games on air. They are the first NFL team to engage in a television partnership that highlights the sport. The game broadcast included play-by-play, color and sideline reporters and featured current players participating in the coin toss and watching the game.
At the end of each game, one person was named player of the week and another coach of the week. Each received a trophy and a certificate signed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Cardinals owner Micheal Bidwill and coach Jonathan Gannon.
Players from the Mountain View High girls flag football team huddle together during their game against Dobson. Their game was one of the Cardinals’ featured games.
Mountain View sophomore quarterback Tierah Metcalf threw for 33 touchdowns and more than 2,700 passing yards this season. She also plays wide receiver. (Photos by Daniella Trujillo/Cronkite News)
Left: Players from the Mountain View High girls flag football team huddle together during their game against Dobson. Their game was one of the Cardinals’ featured games. Right: Mountain View sophomore quarterback Tierah Metcalf threw for 33 touchdowns and more than 2,700 passing yards this season. She also plays wide receiver. (Photos by Daniella Trujillo/Cronkite News)
The growth of flag football extends beyond the high school level. In October 2023, the International Olympic Committee announced that flag football would be part of the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
Additionally, high school athletes have started receiving offers to play collegiately.
Twenty-two NCAA Division III universities and 15 NAIA colleges offer varsity women’s flag football.
Recently, Arizona Christian University in Glendale announced it was adding women’s flag football as its next NAIA varsity sport.
Desert Vista sophomore Arianna Delgado (18) grabs the ball among a group of players. She plays safety in addition to wide receiver and made 19 solo tackles this season.
Marana junior Peyton Sharp, who competes as a linebacker, wide receiver and kicker, helped her team advance to the semifinals. (Photos by Daniella Trujillo/Cronkite News)
Left: Desert Vista sophomore Arianna Delgado (18) grabs the ball among a group of players. She plays safety in addition to wide receiver and made 19 solo tackles this season. Right: Marana junior Peyton Sharp, who competes as a linebacker, wide receiver and kicker, helped her team advance to the semifinals. (Photos by Daniella Trujillo/Cronkite News)
The sport is on an upward trajectory. Youth flag football has grown significantly with a 63% increase since 2019, the National Federation of High Schools reported. Arizona is one of 12 states that have sanctioned the sport at the high school level.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals say they are committed to growing the game.
“Girls flag football demonstrates that football is for all,” the team website said, “and provides opportunities for girls to be involved in the game of football both on and off the field.”
Daniella Trujillo expects to graduate in Spring 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism and a minor in digital audiences. Trujillo has interned as a photographer for BJ Media.