In Tacoma, Washington, excitement is building for the state championships in girls flag football, a sport that is rapidly gaining popularity in high schools. The event will take place this Saturday at Mount Tahoma, featuring eight teams vying for the title. Currently, girls flag football is still classified as a club sport in Washington, but there’s a strong push for it to become a WIAA sanctioned sport as soon as next season. This past winter, a remarkable 83 schools had teams competing across six leagues in western Washington.

Saturday’s action kicks off at 10 a.m., with the state championship game scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Here’s a rundown of the teams and what to expect:

  • Abes: With a season record of 18-2, they are the defending champions and possess a strong roster full of talented playmakers. Key players include WR Silla Lefeau and QB Rita Pryymak.
  • Wildcats: Finished season at 18-4 and are the only returning team from last year’s tournament. QB Maya Engel is a standout with one of the strongest arms in the league.
  • Vikings: Coming in hot with a 14-3 record and a thrilling performance in the North Region championship. Look out for RB Kristina Alyakin and QB Carys Frank.
  • Lynx: With a 12-2 record, they face a unique challenge since they play under different rules. QB Lucia da Silva is expected to be pivotal in their game.
  • Cougars: A surprising dark horse with a strong defense and a record of 16-2. Keep an eye on QB Carli Cockrell for some electric plays.
  • Falcons: At 13-4, they boast a couple of strong offensive players, including QB Reece Pointek.
  • Stadium: With a record of 14-2-1, their defensive strategy is key, and they’ll rely on RB Gabby Booker
  • Trojans: With a 13-5-1 record, they’ve shown resilience and improved significantly toward the postseason.

This event showcases the growth of girls flag football in Washington, presenting thrilling competitions and highlighting the skill and athleticism of young female athletes. As the sport gains momentum, many are hopeful it will gain official status in high school athletics next season.