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OHSAA Officially Sanctions Girls Flag Football as Ohio's 29th High School Sport
The unanimous vote follows a spring with 162 teams and makes Ohio one of 23 states to sanction the sport.
- On Wednesday, June 24, the Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors unanimously voted to recognize girls flag football as the organization's 29th sport. OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute said, "The OHSAA is so proud to welcome girls flag football to our family."
- Participation exploded in recent years, growing from just 20 schools three years ago to 162 teams this past spring. The movement began in Northeast Ohio with the creation of the first high school flag football division in 2021.
- Partnerships with the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pro Football Hall of Fame helped conduct the inaugural state tournament in May at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Macedonia Nordonia defeated Mount Notre Dame 20-19 to claim the title.
- With this decision, Ohio becomes the 23rd state to sanction the sport. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, flag football will be a fully recognized varsity sport, bringing the total to 15 offerings for girls compared to 14 for boys.
- Flag football will make its debut at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. While dates for the 2027 season remain to be determined, the Browns and Bengals plan to remain heavily involved in Ohio's continued growth of the sport.
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Total News Sources16
Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution86% Center
Bias Distribution
- 86% of the sources are Center
86% Center
C 86%
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