PHOENIX—The Arizona Cardinals are extremely excited to be making history this week as they become the first NFL team to provide a weekly broadcast of a high school girls' flag football game. Fans are eager for the recognition of women’s sports to advance as the competition continues to skyrocket for female athletes.
The Rise of Girls Flag Football
Starting with only a powderpuff game eighteen years ago, girls' flag football has now become the state’s fastest-growing varsity sport. Girl’s Flag football was first introduced to the valley in 2006 but had little to no further action until 2012, when two Arizona schools, Desert Ridge High School and Mesquite High School, hosted the state’s first inter-school girls' flag football game.
Finding themselves hungry for more, athletes and coaches introduced the idea of evolving the sport to the varsity level with the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA).
Seeing that more schools began to join the game, in December 2022, the AIA officially announced the sanctioning of girls' flag football, causing 57 schools to eagerly join. This 2023 season would be hugely successful, inspiring the number of competing teams to double. As girls' flag football continues to flourish through valley schools, Arizona will be adding the 4A conference into the mix to embrace the 120 teams participating this fall.
Community Coming Together
The Arizona community has been hugely supportive of this emerging game. The Arizona Cardinals Football Club, State Farm, and Arizona Family have all committed to promoting girls' flag football by beginning the nation’s first live “game of the week” broadcast.
“We continue to look for ways to elevate our athletes and their opportunities, and this partnership with the Arizona Cardinals allows that to happen,” Associate Executive Director of the AIA, Dr. Jim Dean, expresses.
The Cardinals have shown tremendous support as the love of the sport continues to disburse throughout the valley. To demonstrate that football is for everyone, they have highlighted girls' flag football athletes as “Players of the Week” and “Players of the Year” for the past two years.
Michael Bidwill, Cardinals owner, tells Arizona Family reporters, “We’re going to bring women’s flag football over the air, TV, and allow these great athletes to be showcased. I think it's the start of something big- hopefully other NFL teams replicate.” Bidwill continues expressing his hopes for this milestone, “I think it’ll put a spotlight on the game- the life lessons that athletes learn, that women are incredible athletes,”.
Hosting several events and camps and even creating their own flag football campus, the Cardinals have undoubtedly shown their commitment to promoting this sport. At their “Girls Flag Football Showcase” in early 2024, Lorenzo Alexander, former Cardinals linebacker, shared, " It’s just really cool to see how it's grown and how they're making it their own because they’ve been craving this for a long time.”
This NFL team has been exceptional in helping by contributing $70,000 in a partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance and $10,000 in a collaboration with Nike to support the recognition and growth of this thrilling game.
This Week’s Matchup
Arizona was thrilled to watch live as Hamilton High School faced Xavier College Preparatory at home on September 17, 2024.
The Hamilton Huskies finished the 2023 season as state semi-finalists with a record of 12-3. They are a fierce team, as they closed last season with thirty-two passing touchdowns, nine rushing touchdowns, and an average of twenty-one points per game. Hamilton High is proud to be where the first Cardinals Offensive Player of the Year, Samaya Taylor-Jenkins, calls home.
Xavier College Preparatory is coming into this season determined to make a statement. They made it to the second round of the playoffs, finishing the year with nine wins and five losses. The Gators ended the 2023 season ranked No.2 in the 6A East Valley Region.
Taking the lead early, momentum ran high as Hamilton won 48-14. Although the Huskies dominated, the Gators stayed determined until the end, getting on the board mid-third quarter.
With three touchdowns and an interception returned for a touchdown, “player of the game” Samaya Taylor-Jenkins shares her insight on the team’s key to success: “My team chemistry. We all really helped each other up today. If you made a bad play, we helped each other up. If you made a good play, it was even more hype—I’m glad to have these ladies as my teammates.”
Looking Ahead
The next match-up will be nothing short of electrifying. The Chaparral Firebirds will be hosting their first flag football game, facing the Copper Canyon Aztecs on September 26 at 5 p.m.
Kicking off their flag football debut, Chaparral faced an extremely strong opponent: Campo Verde, the reigning 5A state champs. The Firebirds fell short, but hopes remain high as these passionate athletes enter their first official season. They are excited to make history live when they defend their home turf for the first time.
Copper Canyon played their first season last year, recording seven wins and five losses. The Aztecs ended 2023 with a mighty 180 total points. Playing their first game this fall, the Aztecs lost against Desert Edge, a powerful competitor ranked No. 2 in the 5A conference this past season.
With both teams seeking their first victory, athletes and fans are thrilled for this showdown. Watch live on COX channel 13, DirecTV channel 32, and Dish Channel 44.
