By John Knebels • Posted March 28, 2025

There’s nothing quite like the sound of youngsters enjoying the healthy competition, camaraderie, and team building that comes through sports.

Since March 1, such has been the case for dozens of female parochial school student-athletes running up and down a 70-yard field while competing in flag football.

Recognizing that the sport is quickly gaining steam in popularity throughout the country, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has launched the inaugural season of flag football for girls, one of 11 CYO sports and one of five exclusively for girls.

“It’s always an honor to give our young athletes another opportunity to grow and enjoy a sport,” said archdiocesan CYO Director of Athletics Matt Hasher. “With how big flag football is sure to be, I’m so excited to see how it grows within the Archdiocese CYO.”

Particularly extolling the work of league commissioner Larry Kovacs along with Region 20 commissioner Jay Brown, Hasher described the venture as “ushering in a new era for our Catholic participants in the greater Philadelphia area.”

“Flag football is primed to grow exponentially and provide an exciting, safe, and beneficial sport through all ages in our CYO,” said Hasher. “I am proud to welcome this league under our youth sports umbrella and excited to see its growth and impact in the years ahead.”

For those unfamiliar with flag football, several rules of normal football apply. A coin toss at midfield decides initial possession of the ball, with the winner having the option of receiving or deferring, thereby allowing the opponent to begin the game on offense since there are no kickoffs.

Touchdowns still accrue six points. Post-touchdown no-kick options for one point (from five yards) or two points (from 10 yards) exist. Defenses may intercept passes and try to emulate Philadelphia Eagles rookie Super Bowl hero Cooper DeJean and return it for a touchdown.

Maintaining the safety objective, however, plays such as kicking, tackling, diving, blocking, screening, or recovering a fumble are prohibited.

Each half consists of 12 minutes and maintains a running clock that only stops for timeouts and injuries.

With a maximum of five players (and minimum of four) prepared to compete, the first team on offense begins at its own five-yard line and, like normal football, is provided four plays to reach midfield. Should it reach, the squad would then have three downs to score a touchdown.

Conversely, should the team fall short after three attempts, it may either go for a fourth down, or “punt” the ball, which results in the opponent automatically beginning play at its own five-yard line.

Also looking forward to boys’ flag football, which will commence in the fall from Aug. 15 through Oct. 31, Hasher said flag football has opened opportunities for young athletes looking to play something other than the typical sports.

Pitched by the aforementioned Brown several years ago and then studied and tweaked during an unofficial interim season last year, CYO flag football is already operating in four regions this season and, according to Hasher, will “surely expand next year.” The season will conclude with an archdiocesan championship tournament.

“Our spring sports have always been popular, but flag gives girls an opportunity to develop and succeed in an entirely new sport,” Hasher said. “Some great athletes are really going to find their footing in this league.
“We’re blessed to give our young girls the chance to learn and experience the game of football in a safe and exciting way.”

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 Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on ‘X’ @johnknebels.