Franciscan University Women’s Flag Football Halftime Scrimmage Fuels NCAA Growth and Global Talent Pipeline
✨ Coach, Parents & Player Tips
Coach’s Clipboard: Next time you hand out jerseys, have your players balance on one leg while slipping them on—two minutes of secret calf and ankle work turns wobbly landings into rock-solid cuts, and hey, it beats boring calf raises!
Postgame Parents: After practice, ask your kid to tell you a goofy fun fact about one teammate—bonding over secret pizza toppings or superhero pick-favorites weaves that crew into a family and gives you both a laugh on the ride home!
Players Snap: When doubt sneaks in, smack it down with “I got this” and charge the next snap like a beast—flag football’s for crushers, not quitters.
🔎 Feature Story
🏅 Franciscan Women’s Flag Football Team Shines During Steelers Halftime Scrimmage
Franciscan University of Steubenville’s women’s club flag football team was one of just four college programs invited to scrimmage against the University of Pittsburgh during halftime of the Steelers-Browns game at Acrisure Stadium. The Barons, in their inaugural 6-1 season, demonstrated rapid growth and competitive depth while flag football gains traction as the NCAA’s Emerging Sport for Women, spotlighting the sport’s expanding profile.
“It was incredible to be part of spreading Franciscan University’s mission of excellence and passion, even to the football field,” said team captain Anne Seida.
🌍 Regional Roundup
Delaware: Goldey-Beacom College will launch a varsity women’s flag football program next school year as part of Division II Conference Carolinas, aiming to spur peers to start their own teams and enable conference play within two years. Eight Delaware high schools currently compete in a fall league, and the state needs eight more varsity programs to establish flag football as a DIAA championship sport.
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Emmitsburg, Md.: Mount St. Mary’s University has announced a 17-member inaugural roster for its new flag football program, featuring mostly freshmen—12 of whom are from Maryland—a state that is becoming a hub for interscholastic flag football. The team, established in November 2024, will begin official competition in spring 2026 under Head Coach Sandi James.
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⭐ Player Spotlight
Nelah Thompson – Junior Quarterback, Doherty Spartans. Led her team to their first playoff win in program history, accounting for four touchdowns and connecting on a pivotal 53-yard score to seal a 25-21 victory.
“(This win) means a lot. It’s a statement, it really is a statement. Especially for younger generations coming to Doherty and just being a family, a new program. It’s a statement, Colorado Springs, you know,” said Thompson.
📈 Flag Growth Focus
🔥 African Pathway Breakthrough
Nigerian EDGE/Linebacker Benson Jerry’s commitment to NCAA Division II Northern State Wolves highlights the NFL’s strategy of using flag football camps and the International Player Pathway Program to develop talent in Africa. After earning Defensive MVP honors at the 2023 NFL Africa camp in Kenya and training at the NFL Academy in Loughborough, Jerry’s move underscores the growing cross-continental pipeline boosting the sport’s footprint on the continent.
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⚡ FlagSnap Daily Blitz
Hamilton High School (Chandler, Ariz.) extended its winning streak to 27 games and won the Fiesta Bowl Copper State Invitational to maintain the No. 1 spot in this week’s USA TODAY Sports Super 25 girls flag football rankings.
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Illinois powerhouse Willowbrook (Villa Park, Ill.) cracked the Super 25 top 5 after a dominant run in the IHSA girls flag football state tournament.
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Greenbrier (Evans, Ga.) leapt to No. 2 in Georgia’s girls flag football rankings following upset victories over Milton and Pope last week.
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South Anchorage claimed its first Alaska girls flag football state championship and earned a debut spot in the Super 25 rankings.
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