In 2018, the Atlanta Falcons partnered with a Georgia-based foundation to support a high school flag football program for girls at Gwinnett County Public Schools. The pilot program was a soaring success, triggering a surge of tryouts and grabbing the attention of other school systems. Georgia quickly joined four other states that officially sanction high school flag football for girls. The following year, the Alabama High School Athletic Association created a framework for schools interested in launching flag football.

It didn’t take long for a group of female students at Loachapoka High School to approach principal Albert Weeden with the hope of starting a team. The request was approved, and Sheroderick Smith was hired as coach.

“Not only is this program helping the girls build character and a sense of confidence, but it’s giving them the opportunity to receive scholarships to play at the collegiate level,” Smith said. “They come out on Friday nights to support the boys playing football, and now they have their own chance to compete under the lights.”

The team is open to girls in grades seven through 12. It’s the only female fall team sport offered at Loachapoka High.

Students from Opelika and Loachapoka high schools compete in a game of flag football. (contributed)

The Alabama Power Foundation recently awarded the school a Power to Play grant to help strengthen the flag football program. Power to Play grants are designed to expand opportunities for students to take part in arts and athletics at schools with a financial need. Studies show that students involved in organized arts and athletic programs perform better in school and are more likely to graduate.

“This grant impacts our program immensely,” Weeden said. “It allows us the opportunity to provide equipment and uniforms, which gives the girls a sense of belonging. They’re able to showcase their Loachapoka pride as they travel to other schools to compete.”

Weeden said the addition of flag football is poignant as the nation commemorates the 50^th anniversary of Title IX. The landmark civil rights legislation, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs, opened the doors to a dramatic increase in girls taking part in sports.

Flag football is generating opportunities for girls at Loachapoka High School. (contributed)

He said the flag football program is generating new opportunities for girls in the Loachapoka community. And those opportunities will only grow as more Alabama schools add flag football to their roster of athletic programs.

“A program such as this one just paves a path of success for them now and later,” Weeden said.

To learn more about flag football at Alabama high schools, click here. For more information about the Alabama Power Foundation’s Power to Play grant program, click here.