BELLEVILLE, Ill. – Forget the sidelines—these girls are taking center field.
Belleville East and Belleville West High Schools faced off in the first ever high school girls flag football game, a thrilling event that’s redefining what it means to “play like a girl.”
“I think everybody is going to be curious about it, if we’re being honest, and see what this is all about. I think (the crowd is) gonna be highly impressed by the athleticism of the girls out on the field,” Belleville East Athletic Director Joe Nesbit told FOX 2.
Flag football became an IHSA-sanctioned sport this past spring, and Belleville East and West were both eager to jump on the opportunity to implement the activity into the schools—the only two in Southern Illinois and notorious rivals.
The teams will travel around the state to play the majority of their games leading up to playing the state series.
“This is a new sport, and they are making a difference. They are changing something, and these girls… they’re here to play,” Chelsea Smart, one of the athlete’s parents, said.
Some key differences in traditional football and flag football include the girls playing 7 on 7 instead of the usual 11 on 11. They’ll also complete a first down every 20 yards instead of 10.
“This is a first. I’m sure there’s a little bit of anxiety and excitement at the same time, but for them to just go out there and compete and do something no one else is doing, that was the neatest thing,” Belleville West Athletic Director Joe Muniz said.
There were 31 athletes that earned a spot on the West team, and 23 secured their place on the East team roster after around 100 girls from both schools participated in the intense tryouts. It’s a significant step forward that empowers young women and sets a new standard for future generations.
Les Wilson was at the game supporting his daughter, the true definition of a “girl dad.” He opened up about playing football with her growing up and how she always wanted to be on the team.
“It means everything, especially for a man to be out here for his daughter, and just seeing her on the field with the other ladies out here, it just brings me great joy,” he said.
