Flag Football Fever: Females Flourish, Future Stars Take Flight
✨ Coach, Parents & Player Tips
Coach’s Clipboard: Start practice with a quick “pass-the-plaudit”: one player praises a teammate’s hustle, then tags them to give the next shout-out—nothing bonds a flag squad faster than genuine props and a bit of playful bragging.
Postgame Parents: During the car ride to the field, quiz your kiddo on their first three plays—bonus points for goofy accents—so they roll onto the turf sharp on calls, pumped up, and entertained instead of stuck in traffic jitters.
Players Snap: Spend five minutes tossing a tennis ball at a wall with one hand at a time—it feels like catching a grenade, but those sticky-finger reflexes will save you yards (and your pride) on game day!
🔎 Feature Story
🏅 U.S. National Teams embrace family spirit at Charlotte training camp
USA Football hosted its 12-member men’s and women’s flag football national teams at UNC Charlotte’s U.S. Performance Center as they prepare for the sport’s Olympic debut in 2028 and upcoming international events like the 2025 World Games in China and the IFAF Americas Continental Championship in Panama City. The training camp underscores growing USA Football unity and readiness for global competition in flag football’s landmark Olympic introduction.
“Everybody is excited about it. Whenever they come out to Charlotte they’re ready to go,” said USA Football Head of Player Personnel Charles Torwudzo.
🌍 Regional Roundup
Ohio: South High graduate Maria Osagie-Erese became the first student-athlete from The News-Herald area to earn a college flag football scholarship, signing with Mercyhurst’s newly elevated Division I program after leading her team to a 17-2 record and a runner-up finish in the first state girls tournament. 🔗 Read More
Colorado: Columbine High’s Jazzy Dunaway is the first Rebel to secure a women’s flag football scholarship, committing to William Woods University and serving as a role model for younger players while noting the sport’s rapid growth and Olympic prospects. 🔗 Read More
⭐ Player Spotlight
Brysen Wright – Wide Receiver, Jaguars Elite 14U. At just 14 and already standing 6-foot-2, Wright turned heads at the 2025 NFL Flag Football Championships with a jaw-dropping sideline grab and has racked up scholarship offers from Boston College, Colorado, Florida, Florida State and Georgia.
“Young man, you are too young to be pulling off catches like that!” – Commentator
📈 Flag Growth Focus
🌐 Canada on the Rise
The Regina/Moose Jaw team finished pool play with a perfect 4–0 record in the boys 14u international division at the NFL Flag Championships, earning a quarterfinal matchup against Germany. This performance highlights increasing Canadian presence and competitive depth in youth flag football on the international stage.
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🏆 Breaking Barriers at Columbine
Jazzy Dunaway became Columbine High School’s first female athlete to earn a college scholarship for women’s flag football, signing with William Woods University this fall. As the sport gears up for its 2028 Olympic debut, this milestone underscores growing collegiate pathways and opportunities for young women in flag football.
🔗 Read More
📈 Upstate New York Expansion
The Clifton Park Bills advanced to the semifinals of the boys 14u division at the NFL Flag Championships after an 18–13 win over the Henderson Raiders. Their success reflects the sport’s expansion through club-level programs outside traditional hotbeds and rising national participation each summer.
🔗 Read More
⚡ FlagSnap Daily Blitz
- The Saskatchewan Raiders went 4–0 in pool play at the boys 14U international division of the NFL Flag Football Championships, downing Puerto Rico 21–9 and Mexico 27–13 to finish atop their group and draw Germany in the quarterfinals.
👉 Read Full Article - Gilbert Cardinals QB J.J. Mattison delivered a picture-perfect, across-the-body touchdown pass at the NFL Flag Championships, underscoring the rising talent in Arizona’s youth flag ranks.
👉 Read Full Article - Coached by Jeff Jones, the Clifton Park Bills knocked off the Henderson Raiders 18–13 to advance to the semifinal round of the boys 14U division at the NFL Flag Football Championships in Canton, Ohio.
👉 Read Full Article
🏁 Final Whistle
“The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.”
— Pelé
