Girls Flag Football Championship: Willoughby South Advances

 

Willoughby South's Olivia Pennington getting a Gatorade bath after championship title win. (Photo: Matt Smith Photography/contributing to Ohsfbmedia.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio--Huntington Bank Field was the place to be to see an emerging sport in the girls category. Girls High School Flag Football is on the rise and is getting attention. 

Willoughby South won the 2nd annual Girls' High School Flag Football Championship Tournament where 16 teams competed for a qualifying spot in the State Championship at Massillon Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

The #5 seeded Rebels defeated Elyria, Berea-Midpark, and Berkshire to land in the title game.

Willoughby South player tries to evade Edgewood defender Carly Kray. (Photo: Matt Smith Photography)

South defeated Ashtabula Edgewood 48-37 to take home the trophy. Olivia Pennington had a dominant performance in a game that came down to the wire, deciding the winner in the last 0:50 of the game. 

"You know we've been down before, so just trying to keep everyone's heads up. Obviously you're gonna get down on yourself when you make a mistake, but we kept our heads up," said Pennington.

Edgewood's Carly Kray was outstanding leading up to and in the title game, recording multiple touchdowns and interceptions, making her one of the most valuable players of the day with her consistent play.

Edgewood sophomore Carly Kray brings in a touchdown catch. (Photo: Matt Smith Photography)

The Warriors are led by the varsity high school football head coach and Girls' High School Flag Coach of the Week, Olajuwon Cooper who defeated Cleveland John Hay, Cleveland Rhodes, and Massillon to advance to the final game of the night. 

Overall, the sport is exciting and growing but Ohio is still one of the states that is supported by the OHSAA but not sanctioned. As of today, 15 states have sanctioned the sport by their associations according to NFL Flag. 

"I think it's going great, actually. I'm having a lot of fun, and my team is actually amazing," said Kray when asked how she liked playing flag football for her first year.

Willoughby South takes home the 2025 Girls Flag Football Tournament Championship 48-37 over Ashtabula Edgewood at @HuntingtonBkFld to advance to play in Massillon. @BrownsYouthFB @Browns@SouthFlagFB

Olivia Pennington was big key to victory. pic.twitter.com/AdYykywX9P

— Ohio High School Football/Basketball Media (@OHSFBMedia) May 13, 2025