Girls flag football kicks off first OHSAA sanctioned season

Carley Kray from Edgewood attempts to unharness a flag during the high school flag football championship tournament at Huntington Bank Field. (Photo: Matt Smith/contributing to Ohsfbmedia.com file)

OHIO - With flag football becoming a popular sport, the Ohio High School Athletic Association officially recognized it as a sanctioned championship event in July 2025. 

"We are pleased that the OHSAA Board of Directors has approved the sanctioning of girls flag football as an OHSAA-sponsored championship event," said Doug Ute, Executive Director of the OHSAA, in a statement in July. 

Today marked the official start with the kickoff clinic at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, the Cleveland Browns' indoor practice facility. 

February 23 is the day about 121 girls' teams across the state of Ohio will start their practice, according to the OHSAA. Given that there will be a Browns Division and a Bengals Division.

Both divisions will host a coaches' clinic as part of the season.

2026 Browns and Bengals Season Schedule:

• February 23 - Practice Begins
• March 20 - Regular Season Begins
• May 4-8 - Regional Tournaments  
• May 11 - Division Championships 
• May14 - State Championships 

Last year, although it was not officially sanctioned, a state championship and a championship tournament were held to determine who would qualify for a shot to win a state flag football title.

The Badin Rams claimed the first-ever state championship by beating Willoughby South with a score of 40-16, as the game took place at Massillon Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.