UNIONVILLE — The inaugural Union County Public Schools (UCPS) girls high school flag football tournament concluded its season last Saturday (Nov. 18) at Piedmont High School with the semifinal and championship rounds.
Marvin Ridge, which finished its season with a 10-1 record, is the inaugural winner of the tournament after defeating Cuthbertson (9-2 final record), 40-10, in the championship tournament.
The intermural sport was a new experience for hundreds of high school girls, including Marvin Ridge sophomore Landry Johnson. She quarterbacked her team and returned 2 pick sixes in the second half of the championship game.
“I really enjoyed getting to know the team and the coaches,” Johnson said, “I have always enjoyed flag football, so it was a great opportunity. I got to learn a lot about the game, and I have more opportunities in the future to keep playing.”
Head coach Anika Harris, who played flag football herself, said Marvin Ridge started the season with eight players and ended with 15. The reasoning for the increase was unification and taking interest in having fun.
“It means the world,” Harris said, “It’s probably the most rewarding trophy I have ever won. This is the most important, and I’m grateful to be a part of this inaugural season to help bring (girls flag football) to Union County.”
The district partnered with the Carolina Panthers before the 2023-24 school year to offer the intermural sport to high school girls in Union County. In return, Panthers Charities provided $15,000 to UCPS and $25,000 to Cabarrus County Schools in program funding, equipment, and custom Nike school uniforms.
Although flag football is not sanctioned in North Carolina, it is sanctioned in eight other states — including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and New York.
When UCPS athletic director Nelson Garner gave schools the option to participate, six signed up, including Central Academy, Cuthbertson, Forest Hills, Marvin Ridge, Monroe, and Weddington.
According to Garner, all participating schools will participate in a joint girls’ flag football tournament with Cabarrus County Schools on Sunday, Dec. 10, at Bank of America Stadium.
“We’re thrilled for these girls to go out there and play in that atmosphere,” Garner said, “It’s going to be a really cool experience for them. Not everybody gets to go out on that field and play a game on that field. It’s a cool opportunity for all of them win or lose.”
