The snap is quick, the throw is straight, and Kira Ezhilan, senior, runs into the end zone to score a touchdown, her teammates following to celebrate. This isn’t just rec league or an entertainment show; it is the new girls flag football team at Strongsville High School. 

For decades football has been seen as male-dominated sport — a sport never planned for a girl to play. However, the interest in a girls flag football team grew so significantly that a team formed.

The girls practice every Tuesday and Thursday and compete on Fridays and Sundays, usually a drive away. 

“I believe it is important that girls can play a male-dominated sport because it builds confidence and more awareness around girls sports,” Lyla Krenek, sophomore, said. 

The girls believe that when playing, it is necessary to have fun but also important to have full focus. During games they are given a positions and must execute the plan that was given to them in order to be successful. 

“When I play receiver, my main focus is catching the ball and riding my route that is given to get open,” Ezhilan said.

Since the sport is a club sport and is new this year, the girls have to find their own transportation to games, but to them it does not seem like a big issue. 

“My favorite memory from playing was the carpool with my friends to our game in Sandusky,” Courtney Schaffran, senior, said. 

Driving together not only creates long lasting memories for the team, but it also creates stronger and deeper bonds that will help them perform better on the field. It helps give support and allows players to have more trust in each other.

“It is important to have good relationships with teammates on and off the field because it develops chemistry and makes the game so much more fun and enjoyable,” Sidney Butera, junior, said. 

Playing flag football has helped the girls strengthen their sportsmanship skills. 

“We’re doing this out of our own time and we’re putting time and effort into it, so it honestly builds better sportsmanship. In my perspective we’ve come together as a team and as friends, and it really drives us closer. I think we all play really well together,” Ezhilan said.

The team focuses on developing their basic skills but also wants to engage in competitive play. It is important to know how and what plays to do because the game is at a fast pace. 

“Our team balances both competitive and skill development equally. We use practice to enhance our skills and knowledge about football, and we apply that to our games and flourish,” Abigail Wahdan, senior, said.

While playing the girls have said there are very challenging parts of the game. It is important to overcome and practice them throughout practices so they are prepared for what to do during their games. 

“The most challenging aspect while playing is to gain yards. Learning the techniques to run and not get your flags pulled takes time and IQ,” Krenek said. 

To the girls, playing flag football as a club sport does not make a difference to them. They still play how they would play any of their main sports. 

“I think of it as an actual sport. It’s like how I would play basketball with my teammates. That’s how I look at flag football as well,” Ezhilan said.

For many of the girls, it is their first time playing football, which can lead to a less serious approach for some. 

“I feel a lot of players do not take it as seriously because it is the first year and we are still learning. Being at practices and games is not a mandatory thing,” Butera said.

The team feels as if they are a part of something special. Girls flag football is looking to grow significantly in our school as the years move forward. In addition, many colleges are starting to adapt the sport and allowing more girls opportunities to play a sport in college. 

“This sport is uniquely empowering for girls because everyone is under the impression that football isn’t for girls, which is why it is cool that a bunch of girls are thriving and proving that narrative wrong,” Schaffran said.

Playing this sport has helped the girls become better athletes by playing different positions that transfer into their everyday lives.

“My favorite position would have to be quarterback because it teaches me to make split second decisions, and it has been the position that I have played for years,” Wahdan said.