Raising the flag on Cincinnati's fastest-growing sport: Girls flag football 2025 preview

Women's flag football is coming to the Olympics in 2028, and it's a rapidly growing athletic offering for Cincinnati high school girls. In 2024, only six schools had a team. In 2025, that number is up to 20.

The Enquirer reached out to all 20 teams for a Q&A with each coach to get the skinny on each team. Here is a preview of the 2025 girls flag football season around Cincinnati:

Aiken

Head coach: Harry McCall

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: Some top players for Aiken's 2025 team include: Heaven Lewis, who demonstrates exceptional skill and athleticism, allowing her to play most positions on the field; Kennedy Woods, also known as "Speedy One," who lives by the quote "Every champion was once a contender that didn't give up," and exemplifies remarkable leadership qualities; and Destinee Kelly, whose strategic thinking and quick decision-making abilities make her a strong quarterback and a great leader.

Q: What style will your team play this season? What do you expect will be its identity?

A: "Fast paced, attacking."

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "Our team is quite cohesive, and we share a deep bond that resembles that of sisters. This strong connection allows us to support each other in both challenges and successes. We collaborate effectively, guiding one another with encouragement and constructive feedback, which helps us all stay on the right path. Because of this supportive culture, we don’t view our differences as weaknesses; instead, we see them as opportunities for growth. Together, we strive to achieve our goals while uplifting one another every step of the way."

McCall lists other strengths of his team as speed, agility and strategic thinking.

Badin

The 2025 inaugural Badin flag football team poses for a team photo.

Head coach: Mike Sebastian

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "With this being the first year of flag football at Badin, I am looking for the seniors to take an active leadership role, and they have done a great job. We have good athletes, and the seniors have helped lead as we all learn."

Q: What style will your team play this season? What do you expect will be its identity?

A: "We are going to play fast and be aggressive. Offensively, we want to get to the line quickly and use our athleticism. Defensively, we want to be aggressive and play a lot of man defense. I think our identity is going to be our ability to play fast"

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "As I said, our strengths are going to be our athletic ability. Most of our athletes play multiple sports, so they all bring a good understanding of what it means to compete. Our weakness is going to be our experience. Everyone, from coaches to athletes are learning along the way. This has been challenging, really starting a program from the ground up, learning everything from rules to how to catch a football."

Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy

Head coaches: Robert Davis and Daniel Goodwin (quoted).

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "We are expecting all of our players to show up and show out," Goodwin said. "But we are excited to see Kamiyah Higgins, Syasia Rogers and Marianna Behanan bring some great leadership and new flavor to the CCPA team"

Q: What style will your team play this season? What do you expect will be its identity?

A: "Our team is still learning as this is their first season, but we can't wait to see them bring out the swag and bring out the downtown team flavor. Their identity will be their Lion Pride. Our team stands out among most teams, because being a public charter school we are always considered the underdogs. Even though in the end we tend to dominate our conference."

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "Our strengths would be the hard work that our young ladies put in during practices and games. Their willingness to work together and have fun at the same time. Our weakness would be that we are still learning, so in the beginning stages we may not be great. But in the end, our young ladies will pull it out and learn at the same time."

Clark Montessori

Head coach: Crystal Becker

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "This is our first year, and we have a lot of talent. I expect all of our players to be a key part of our success."

Gamble Montessori

Gamble Montessori's Markayla Gray calls for a snap as Mackenzie Clark lurks in the backfield at the Bengals jamboree on March 8, 2025.

Head coach: Terrill Byrd

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "I think the girls are all having fun and going with the flow, but Markayla Gray and Mackenzie Clark are both natural-born leaders and are showing great leadership on both sides of the field."

Q: What style will your team play this season? What do you expect will be its identity?

A: "I like that the girls get into the defense of side of the ball, they all can attack and defend the end zone. I think the identity would be defense, but we are loving getting better on the offensive side of the ball."

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "I believe that our defense is our strength. Our weakness would be offense. I think on defense we can get better at contesting the ball when it’s in the air. On offense, we can get better at running the plays efficiently."

Hughes

Head coach: Lorenzo Engleman

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "I am expecting a lot from my juniors Abriyel Opoku, Jael Ratney, Amiyah Foster and Bailey Gross Brown. They are all dual-sport athletes who have competed on the high level in other sports."

Q: What style will your team play this season? What do you expect will be its identity?

A: "I think we will be well suited running the ball this year. Our plan is to play fast and understand the game."

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "Our key strength will be our speed, but one thing we have tried to continue to work on has been distributing the ball accurately through the air."

Mercy McAuley

Head coach: Nick Schroth

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "We graduated some key players from last year’s team, including our star quarterback Nour Shalash, and the Maxwell Football Club Girls National Flag Football Player of the Year Nominee & Regional Player of the Year Recipient, Sarah Enginger. Fortunately, for us, we have some capable replacements, including Sarah’s younger sister, Lauren Enginger."

Some specific players to watch, according to Schroth:

Lauren Enginger ‒ She’s an athlete and a competitor.

McKenna Rischmann‒ She will give us her best every single play.

Macy Lohbeck ‒ Key contributor to our success last season as a freshman.

Shelby Binder‒ She can play any position and all over the field on either side of the ball.

Bianca Gonzalez‒ Speed. "She can absolutely pick ‘em up and put ‘em down."

Q: What style will your team play this season? What do you expect will be its identity?

A: "Like a Pack of Wolves, we will be flexible and fast, moving key players all over the field and giving them opportunities to make athletic plays."

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "Strengths are depth and athleticism. We have seen tremendous interest in the sport and will be carrying 34 girls on our two teams. A lot of girls are coming to us from other sports and bring a tremendous amount of athleticism.

As for weaknesses, We lost six key starters from last year’s team that reached the regional championship. Half of our girls are freshmen including 10 on the varsity roster. While there may be a learning curve because of this, we fully expect to be competing for a championship at the end of the season."

Mount Notre Dame

Head coach: Desmon Gault

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "... With a strong core of returning players and a talented group of newcomers, we are eager for the upcoming season and the chance to build on last year’s championship success. Our returning players bring invaluable experience and a championship mindset to this year’s squad. They include Maria Shade, Tess Braun, Evie Schoolfield, Hayden Elmlinger, Addy Vaughan, Caitlyn Wood, Grace Bodkin, Samantha Freese, Megan Sicking, and Peyton Farkas.

Each of these players has already proven they can compete at the highest level, and their leadership will be key in helping us set the tone for the season. We’ve also added some exciting new talent, including Kaylee Watson, Elizabeth Herzner, and eight additional players who we expect to make a big impact."

Q: What style will your team play this season? What do you expect will be its identity?

A: "Our style of play and identity is simple: WEOVERME.

"WEOVERME is more than just a slogan ‒ it’s the foundation of how we play and grow together. It reminds us that teamwork, selflessness and faith are at the core of our success. We compete with the understanding that we are stronger as a unit, that we are called to lift each other up, and that God’s purpose is greater than individual achievement. Through discipline, encouragement, and trust, we strive to embody Christ’s example ‒ playing not just for ourselves, but for something greater than the game.

"On the field, we focus on playing fast, disciplined, and intelligent football. We want to be relentless on defense, dynamic on offense, and prepared to adapt to any challenge."

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "One of our biggest strengths is our experience and depth. We have a great mix of championship-tested veterans and new players who are eager to contribute. Our chemistry and discipline allow us to stay composed and execute in high-pressure situations.

As for areas of growth, our biggest focus will be integrating our new players and continuing to refine our execution. With so much talent, making sure everyone gets comfortable in their roles will be key. The more we trust each other and commit to the process, the better we’ll be."

Notre Dame Academy

Head coach: Patrick Strickley

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "This year, we have a good mix of returning players as well as some new blood. On the defensive side, we have several seniors ready to end their high school careers strong. Marisa Bloemer and Kylie Durik are ready to play up front, and Leah Young will be our main safety if picks are more your thing. We have some promising freshmen coming in, with Ashley Mendez Quino and Maria Hauber, along with several other very great players.

"On the offensive side, we have a wealth of quarterback talent. Lydia Timmerding is returning from last year's team, and Maya Tully is a soccer senior who is joining for the first time and can throw, catch and run with the best of them. Our future looks bright with freshman Noelle Earls learning the position for a time when we'll be without Maya and Lydia. Our offense is mostly new elsewhere. Our center Reese McGonigal and RB/WR Emma Strotman are our other returning players. New players like senior Riley Herald and freshmen Ellie Fesmire and Stella McKinley are looking to keep us threatening on offense this season."

Q: What style will your team play this season? What do you expect will be its identity?

A: "Our plan is to have a balanced offense, as we have several dynamic runners and several girls with great hands, as well as quarterbacks who can get the ball to them. Last year we focused a lot on the deep ball, and our running game was on the backburner.

"Defensively, we play man-to-man as well as various zone looks. We try to play some situational football. With no field goal chances, we have a somewhat bend, but don't break attitude. Admittedly we did break once at the Jamboree event at Paycor hosted by the Bengals with the help of the Cincinnati Cougars (women's tackle football), but it was only once."

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "I think a huge strength is having multiple players who can sling the ball. Each of those players has a different skillset, so the offense can look entirely different based on who is throwing the ball. Our defense is highly capable of responding to live in game situations. I know I can trust several of my defenders to change to the right look if the offense changes theirs."

Riverview East/Spencer Center

Head coach: Tujuan Clayton

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "The whole team will be great, but (a special mention to) Emily Wells, Jamyala Brown, Cheyenne Holmes and our only senior, Tamirah Yisrael. These four young women are hard workers and have an unbelievable drive to be great."

Q: What style will your team play this season? What do you expect will be its identity?

A: "I believe that we will be a balanced team on offense. With Cheyenne at our QB spot, we will be able to run and pass the ball. We are going to very fast with a few players that are on the track team as well."

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "Our strength is our speed and heart. They are very determined and will never give up. Our weakness will be our knowledge of the game. I am hoping that that my experience and knowledge of the game will help to level this off. I kept my scheme very simple for them to understand, but I still think it will pose a problem for the teams playing against us."

Seton

The 2025 Seton flag football team poses for a team picture.

Head coach: Bryan Cox

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "We have several returning key players in seniors Riley Mullen, Sophie Myers, and Elizabeth Shewmaker. They give us great senior leadership and experience to help our young team. Key players Harlowe Allen, Ellie Wegman, Saryah Cannon, Charlotte Holm, and Leah Schoster give us versatility and dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball.

We have some great ability and depth this year in the rest of our squad, which gives us great hope as to what we are building for the future of our program and the sport."

Q: What style will your team play this season? What do you expect will be its identity?

A: "We like to think we have a very versatile and athletic team that likes to compete in everything they do. Our identity is ever changing, but we keep it simple: get the ball into the hands of our playmakers and let them make plays, play sound defense and tackle everything, and enjoy being a team together and playing selflessly."

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "Our strength is playing as a team, as a unit. We have great individual players who understand how to play together, make each other better, and be selfless in our game plans. The experience of returning players from last year's team has been so beneficial for our new players.

"A weakness we may have is that we are a younger team, like last year. We have a majority of underclassman on our roster, but they're a hard-working and talented group. Which makes us excited for our program as we move forward and grow the sport into an OHSAA sanctioned sport."

St. Ursula Academy

St. Ursula senior Lauren Bower runs around a Seton player last season.

Head coach: Anthony Mussari

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "Our entire team is a lot stronger and more prepared than we were last year. Our senior class has a lot of players who came back for another season, which means we have leadership and experience. Specifically, our captains Lauren Bower and Lily Thompson are going to help us roll on offense and defense. "

Q: What style will your team play this season? What do you expect will be its identity?

A: "Our style of play and identity is going to be efficiency. I want us to be a well-oiled machine firing on all cylinders, not just during the games, but also at practice and scrimmages. If we handle each component of the game correctly, we are going to be very difficult to stop."

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "Our key strengths, of course, are the leadership and experience we have, not just with the players but with the coaching staff as well. It really takes a village to get the team where we want it to be, and I couldn't do it without everyone involved in the program. A weakness that is out of our control is just uncertainty. Unfortunately, due to the weather this year and other variables, our team hasn't been able to practice as frequently as I'd like, so there is a lot of uncertainty about how the chips will fall heading into the first game."

Ursuline Academy

Ursuline's Braelyn Conner squares off in a drill against teammate Sarah Meyer at the Bengals jamboree on March 8, 2025.

Head coach: John Gerhardt

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "We have a strong core of players back from last season that we expect to be leaders in 2025. Sophomore Elizabeth Garay was a key offensive player last year, and we look for her to make contributions on both the offense and the defense. Elizabeth has great hands, solid instincts, and an awareness of the entire field. We will take advantage of that skill.

"Sophomore Maisie Moran has been our most aggressive defensive player and blitzer. She simply gets to the ball and has the speed and size to cause chaos in the offensive backfield. On defense, seniors Reina Knight and Claire Messerle are leaders working with a good number of juniors, sophomores, and freshman to help them learn the game. Senior Breanne Tereba brings great athleticism and has shown a strong arm in our preseason drills and scrimmages."

Q: What style will your team play this season? What do you expect will be its identity?

A: "I would describe our style of play as fast and aggressive. We need to rely on our quickness and sure hands-on offense and our ability to close so we don’t get beat on defense."

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "Where last year we had distinct offensive and defensive teams… this year, to better leverage our athleticism, we will play our best athletes on both sides of the ball. A key strength of our team is the core of players returning from last year. Our veterans have experience in game situations and know what to expect. Likewise, we have a significant number of new athletes, at each grade level and position this season. These players are bringing a fresh approach and will be challenging the veterans for playing time. We need to be deliberate and efficient in game situations, as we know other teams in the league are building on their success from last year."

Western Hills/Dater

Head coach: Dante Payne

Q:Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "Players such as Jayda Williams, Zion Watkins, Nakiya Edmerson and Sha'Myarae Boyd-Reed are multi-sport athletes who bring their experiences from other sports with them along with toughness, athletic ability and leadership skills."

Q: What style will your team play this season? What do you expect will be its identity?

A: "Western Hills expects its style of play to be up-tempo and in-your-face. The team hopes to rely on its speed and energy."

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "Our strengths are athleticism and buy-in from the girls in their first season. Weaknesses are depth and limited knowledge of flag football as a sport that we expect to gain through this inaugural season!"

Withrow

Head coach: Keilan Woods

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "Kimorah Lee Smith, Devan Dearmond, Shaniyah Campbell, Fatima Sigma, Heaven Shaw and Aniyah Crumb are expected to be some of Withrow's top players this season."

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "A key strength for our team is that we are young, so we will be solid for the future, and we have 2 seniors so I'm excited about that! Our quarterback is really good, as if she’s played football or flag football before, and this her first time. She’s definitely a strength and I feel our girls are super athletic! Weakness could be inexperience, but we're getting better daily!"

Woodward

The 2025 inaugural Woodward flag football team poses for a team photo at the Bengals jamboree on March 8, 2025.

Head coach: Jabreel Moton

Q: Who are you expecting to be your top players this season, and what do they bring to your team?

A: "This being our inaugural season with our girls and so many new faces to the game, including myself, right now it's hard to pinpoint exactly who on our team will be our top players. We have a good group of girls who show up every day and work extremely hard in practices and workouts to learn the mechanics of the game and the rules. We have some good athletes and it will be fun to see who becomes our standout leader on and off the field as the season progresses."

Q: What style will your team play this season? What do you expect will be its identity?

A: "Again one of those questions where we honestly have not had enough live game reps to determine which style works best with the girls we have. We will base our style of play off the girls and how they respond in the heat of the game. I would like our identity to be a defensively focused team with an emotional demeanor that's never too high or too low based on the game itself. The goal is to keep our focus and toughness no matter the score."

Q: What are some key strengths and weaknesses you see in your team?

A: "One strength is they SHOW up every day on time ready to work. We also have some tough girls who play hard until the whistle blows. The girls over these last couple weeks have become real friends and supporters of one another. Only weakness I've seen in our girls is they want to get every drill we do exactly right, which leads us to spending more time usually in a drill than we initially intended because they just want to get it right and sometimes they may get a little flustered. Other than that, spirits are high and the girls are excited and ready to attack the season ahead with everything they have."

Other Cincinnati schools with flag football teams in 2025

Shroder, Taft and Walnut Hills also are fielding teams in 2025.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati's fastest-growing sport: Girls flag football 2025 preview

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