Urbana High School is expanding athletic opportunities for female students by introducing girls flag football this spring ahead of the sport’s recognition by the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2026-27 school year.
Girls flag football became the OHSAA’s 29th recognized sport in June of 2026 as participation continues to grow across Ohio. The sport, supported by the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns of the National Football League, emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and athletic development while giving female athletes another opportunity to compete.
The sport held its first state tournament last year, with Nordonia High School in Macedonia winning the championship over Mount Notre Dame in Cincinnati.
The sport is played in a 5-on-5 format, with one division currently offered due to the number of participating teams statewide. Teams can schedule up to 12 games and two scrimmages during the season.
Urbana is in the process of putting together its schedule, with no games finalized at this time. The program hopes to attract between 12 and 15 players for its inaugural season.
Kai Scott, Urbana’s girls basketball coach, and Kurt Scott, the school’s girls bowling coach, will lead the new program.
Urbana Athletic Director Zane Scheiderer said the addition comes after several years of interest from female students.
“We are excited to be able to give our female athletes another opportunity for competition in the spring. Many of our female student athletes have been asking for this for a few years, so it is exciting to see it come to fruition.”
The statewide schedule for the 2027 season includes practice beginning February 23, with the regular season starting March 20. Regional tournaments are scheduled for May 4-8, followed by the Bengals Championship on May 11 and the state championship on May 16.
Additional information about the team is available through the Urbana High School Athletic Office.
