Graphic showing flag football players

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) made history this year by introducing girls flag football as a new club sport, with 12 of 13 high schools fielding teams in the inaugural season. The addition marks a major step forward in expanding athletic opportunities and ensuring inclusivity for female students.  

The season began with a special kickoff event hosted by the Washington Commanders at their indoor practice facility in Ashburn, where four high schools—Battlefield, Brentsville District, Gar‑Field, and Osbourn Park—took the field for the first-ever matchups. 

The event drew special guests, including the Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, running back Jeremy McNichols, and former Washington stars Brian Mitchell and Santana Moss, who served as honorary coaches and mentors for the players.  

For the first season, competition was limited to PWCS schools at the club level, with all teams advancing to the playoffs. The season culminated in the semifinals and final at Brentsville District High, where the top-seeded hosts claimed the championship trophy. 

Brentsville student-athletes Riley Coombs and Natalie Marvin expressed their gratitude for the chance to play this season.  

“I really appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this because it was really fun,” Coombs said. Marvin added, “Being supported by the Commanders made it so much better and finishing the season on our home field [from our turf program] was surreal too.” 

PWCS partnered with the Commanders earlier in the year to introduce girls to the sport, hosting clinics in January and May. In August, the Commanders announced a commitment to support 127 girls flag football programs throughout Washington, Maryland, and Virginia. As part of this initiative, each program received 25 custom-designed Nike uniforms, 10 footballs, an NFL Flag Kit containing 50 flags, and additional instructional resources.  

“This was an awesome opportunity for these young ladies,” Brentsville head coach Eugene Baltimore said. “It was an opportunity for them to have another sport to compete in and just look at the turnout around Prince William County. I hope (this game) continues to spread out.” 

By embracing girls flag football, PWCS is broadening its athletic offerings and reinforcing its commitment to equity, teamwork, and student voice. With nearly every high school participating, the sport is already shaping up to be a defining chapter in the school division’s athletic history.