Under the Super Bowl Lights, Girls Flag Football Stepped Into Its Own
- Brunch League Sports
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Girls High School Flag Football Showcase Elevates Emerging Talent During Pro Bowl Week
SAN FRANCISCO — Thirty-two of the nation’s top senior high school flag football athletes took the field in the 2026 NFL FLAG Girls High School Showcase on Feb. 3, part of the NFL’s Super Bowl week flag football programming and televised as part of ESPN’s Postseason NFL Countdown coverage.
The Showcase brought together a competitive all-star field representing programs across the United States, highlighting the continued growth of girls high school flag football and offering increased exposure for emerging talent.
Participants were selected through nominations tied to the USA TODAY Super 25 rankings, reflecting performance from sanctioned and pilot state high school seasons.
Standout Performances and Quotes
Senior Ariana Akey of Mountain Vista High School (Colorado), a two-time MaxPreps state Player of the Year and quarterback for the NFC squad, was among the most visible contributors in the game. Akey’s leadership and decision-making under pressure stood out in multiple key possessions.
“I’ve worked for this since middle school,” Akey said after the Showcase. “Getting to compete here shows how far the game has come, and I hope it makes room for the next group to go even further.” — Ariana Akey, NFC quarterback
Also highlighted was Victoria (“Tori”) Brady of Staley High School (Missouri), whose journey from a newly established district flag program to the national spotlight reflects the rapid expansion of girls flag at the local level. Brady said her selection was “a testament to how fast this sport is growing and how many opportunities are opening up for girls everywhere.”
Broadcast and Growth Context
The Showcase aired live on ESPN, Disney + and the ESPN app, bringing national visibility to girls high school flag football within one of the country’s largest football weeks.
Flag football participation continues to expand at the high school level, with more states offering varsity programs and new opportunities for female athletes to compete. As of early 2026, girls varsity flag teams exist in more than 30 states, and high school sanctioning continues to grow.
The sport’s profile is also rising internationally; flag football will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, which has accelerated development and competitive investment across youth and high school levels.
Showcase Roster & Coaches — 2026 NFL FLAG Girls High School Showcase
Selected senior athletes representing top high school flag football programs — divided into AFC and NFC squads
AFC — Head Coach: John Avery (McClatchy, CA)
Alana Calhoun (Milton, GA)
Colby Cook (Central, AL)
K.K. Jackson (St. Anne-Pacelli, GA)
Isabella Jubrey (East Windsor, CT)
Ava Klene (Red Mountain, AZ)
Nina Lloyd (Whitney Young, IL)
Leah Loane (South Salem, OR)
Bella Long (Stadium, WA)
Lanieya Page (Prattville, AL)
Makaila Ritter (Hickory Ridge, NC)
Aribella Spandiary (Maine South, IL)
Samaya Taylor-Jenkins (Hamilton, AZ)
Mya Rei Smith (Camarillo, CA)
Daisy Throckmorton (McClatchy, CA)
Jillian Weaver (Brighton, MI)
NFC — Head Coach: Garrett Looney (Mountain Vista, CO)
Ariana Akey (Mountain Vista, CO)
Peyton Barbarick (Ravenwood, TN)
Kami Bauer (Penn, IN)
Victoria Brady (Staley, MO)
Avery Bratton (Creek Wood, TN)
Mya De Jesus (Harrison, NJ)
Kirsten Gudmalin (Sandalwood, FL)
Cherrish Huggins (Western, FL)
Olivia Lafrate (Johnston, RI)
Julia Oberholtzer (Orange Lutheran, CA)
Jaylani Palmer (Shadow Ridge, NV)
Kelsey Quinn (Leander, TX)
Emma Rascoe (Webster Schroeder, NY)
Jazlyn Ruiz (Seminole Ridge, FL)
Ciara Taggart (Tottenville, NY)
Lucy Thompson (Legend, CO)
Roster compiled from MaxPreps and official selection announcements.
What This Means for the Future
High School to College Pipeline Growth
Showcases of this nature are increasingly being used as talent identification events for college coaches. NAIA and NJCAA flag football programs have already established competitive opportunities for female athletes, and more college programs are exploring varsity status.
Increased State Sanctioning
The presence of top high school athletes on a national broadcast platform during Super Bowl week reflects the sport’s shift from grassroots expansion to structured competition. Many states are moving girls flag football into official sanctioning, which leads to regular seasons, championships, and scholarship pipelines.
Olympic Opportunity on the Horizon
With flag football scheduled for Los Angeles 2028, athletes competing in high school between 2026 and 2028 are positioned within the first full development cycle of the sport’s Olympic evolution — highlighting the importance of visibility and competitive experience gained through showcases such as this.
Media Exposure and Growth Momentum
National broadcasts of girls flag football alongside major events like the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl week increases legitimacy and visibility for the sport. As viewership grows, so too does sponsor interest, athlete aspiration, and institutional investment at every level of competition.