Girls’ Flag Football To Begin In Area

Girls’ flag football is going to be the new game in town for many spots in Montana this year. Those schools that are adding the sport include Wolf Point and Poplar.

Wolf Point’s athletic director Eric Peterson explains that the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL are providing three-year grants for schools to introduce flag football. The funds will help with such expenses as uniforms and equipment.

“It’s really at no cost to the district,” Peterson said.

The team’s first practice is scheduled for Aug. 19. Wolf Point’s coaches are Cody Larson and Bif Loucks. Peterson explains that girls’ flag football is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. After playing a few games during the regular season, the year will end with state playoffs in either Bozeman or Missoula. Currently, 17 schools are anticipated to offer the sport this school year.

Peterson noted that school officials are excited about offering the sport because it gives girls another choice for a school-related activity.

“The whole theory is we can give some kids a chance to do something if they don’t want to play volleyball or to run,” Peterson said. “It’s another avenue for these girls to be involved in.”

The playing field will be smaller than a typical football field. Each team will have seven players on the field at a time. Girls who are already in the volleyball or cross country programs could also play flag football. Practices for the new sport will be held later in the evening.

Over the past six years, the Atlanta Falcons and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation have worked to elevate the sport of girls flag football to be sanctioned across the United States to promote gender equality in sports offered at the high school level. It has become one of the fastest growing sports and other states are following the Falcons’ lead.

Flag Football Schedule

Aug. 31: at Glendive Jamboree Sept. 7: at Lockwood Jamboree Sept. 13: at Glendive Sept. 21: at Glendive, divisional seeding Sept. 26-27: State playoffs