Girls flag football continues to see incredible growth around the United States. In Minnesota, they recently crowned a state champion following a season that involved 51 teams playing, which was 47 more than just a year ago.
Mahtomedi picked up a 36-20 victory over La Crescent-Hokah in the finals from TCO Stadium. The top-seeded Zephyrs rolled, winning by 32 points in the quarterfinals vs. Bloomington and in the semifinals vs. Park of Cottage Grove, according to the Star Tribune.
While not yet a sanctioned high school sport in Minnesota, flag football is showing signs of life. Mahtomedi, for instance, had 51 girls sign up, allowing them to put together two junior varsity teams.
The Minnesota Vikings funded both the inaugural season and this one, just like they did in Iowa earlier this year. Girls flag football is also not a sanctioned sport in that state either at this time.
Sophia Peer, who helped Mahtomedi win a state soccer title, said that the "environment was super cool, everyone was rowdy" of the flag football finals.
"I never would have thought this would happen, winning state," she added.
La Crescent-Hokah also took part in the pilot season in 2024, placing second as well to end that year.
The flag football season started in April with four Sunday doubleheaders. Section playoffs followed before the 12-team state tournament.