Future of girls flag football uncertain at EHS

Courtesy Photos/Chiefs.com

By Eli Thimmesch

With over two dozen sports officially sanctioned by the Kansas State High School Activities, girls flag football has now joined those ranks. The 2026-2027 school year will see 28 schools throughout Kansas adding the sport to their roster. However, according to Athletic Director Tony Douglas, it will not be coming to EHS any time soon. 

“It won't be at EHS next year because the schedules have already been set for the teams playing. In order to get a coach a schedule and all that,” Douglas said. “So it wouldn’t be an immediate opportunity.”

The Kansas City Chiefs football team has been pushing the “Let Girls Play” initiative since 2025. Last year pilot programs funded by the team popped up throughout the state with schools including Maize and numerous USD 259 high schools adopting the program. Over 11,000 people signed the petition to have the sport officially sanctioned by KSHSA. Everything has been set into motion for Kansas schools to add girls flag football. 

“If we have the results and we can find out who’s interested, then we can move forward, but until we figure out what the push is, then we’re kind of in limbo,” Douglas said. 

There is a process to get a new sport. Supplementals and budgeting create setbacks. It takes about a year to get any sport approved by the school board. Much like the four-year battle with getting a swim and dive team, it all relies on how many people want to participate. 

“It would take a lot of interest, board approval, hiring coaches and getting on the schedule with all the other leagues,” Douglas said. 

There is also conflict with other fall sports. With football and soccer using the turf, there would be one more sport to schedule for practices and games. A question also comes up about competition. Would it be competing with sports like volleyball, golf, tennis and track? Or would it be one more thing to showcase new talent? 

Courtesy Photo/Chiefs.com

“Personally, I’ve always wanted to play, and it seems like it would be a lot of fun,” freshman athlete Holli Medlin said. “And we would have more scholarship opportunities.”

The news has spread in athletic circles since flag football became a confirmed sport. Female athletes from volleyball, soccer and track have expressed interest in a new team sport. It is another chance for people to show their skills and be rewarded for it. 

“I think it would be fun to have another sport, especially for girls, ” freshman athlete Chloe Vaughan said. “And I think people would hype it up if we had flag football at EHS.”

Coaches have also expressed their support for the addition of a team. 

“I think because we live in America, and football is such an American sport and such a good thing, " football coach Darrin Fisher said. “It’s awesome to see the opportunity that is offered to not just boys but girls as well.” 

The future of flag football at EHS is up in the air, but it is a possibility on the horizon for those willing to advocate for it.