A pilot program for high school girls flag football could bring the popular sport to Mississippi very soon.
The New Orleans Saints, in collaboration with the Mississippi High School Activities Association, announced the creation of 12 teams in Mississippi—five of which are in South Mississippi: Picayune, East Central, George County, St. Martin and Vancleave.
According to a Saints press release, games among the 12 schools would begin in late March with Picayune High School and Southwest Mississippi Community College as host sites.
Other schools joining the pilot program are Brandon, McComb, Meridian, Oak Grove, Perry Central, Richland and South Pike.
“In keeping with our mission to enhance the educational experience through opportunities for participation in interscholastic activities, this initiative reflects our commitment to growing access and opportunity for student-athletes throughout the state,” MHSAA executive director Rickey Neaves said in the press release. “We are grateful for the New Orleans Saints and the NFL for their partnership in this effort and look forward to building a robust, long-term relationship with the Saints organization.”
Mississippi will be the 14th state to offer the growing sport of girls flag football, which has increased in popularity through the help of NFL partnerships. With the assistance of the Atlanta Falcons, high schools are now playing girls flag football in Alabama and Georgia. Alabama began with 50 teams in its initial season and more than doubled that number last year.
“We are thrilled to partner with the MHSAA and bring the excitement of girls flag football to the state of Mississippi,” Saints owner Gayle Benson said in a statement. “This is just the beginning, and we look forward to seeing the league grow, offering more young women the chance to experience the joy and excitement that sports bring.”
The announcement from the Saints doesn’t provide a lot of time for the 12 schools to prepare for the season with practice set to begin in February.
But the short notice hasn’t quelled the enthusiasm for this inaugural season.
George County athletic director James Ray said the response to the new sport has been tremendous in Lucedale.
“The girls are fired up about it, the school is fired up and the community is fired up,” said Ray.
“We think it’s going to be ultra-successful.”
Ray said the prospect of girls flag football began last fall when the MHSAA sent out an interest survey and George County was one of several schools to express a desire to participate.
“For a couple years now, we’ve been trying to add another girls sport at George County,” said Ray, who added the school sent out an interest questionnaire and about 70 girls responded that they would like to try out.
Ray said George County assistant football coach Wayne Scott will be the girls flag football head coach and cheerleader sponsor Holly Hubbard, who “is eat up with football,” will be the assistant coach.
Ray said practice will begin Feb. 17 after the roster is trimmed to 20 players.
He said the 12 teams will be divided in a North-South format with each school playing five games followed by a championship game.
“It’s a growing sport and I think the sky is the limit,” said Ray, who added the sport will be in the 2028 Summer Olympics.
