Ridgewood Girls Flag Football Earns Trip to See the National Flag Football Championship at the Pro Bowl

screen shot courtesy of CBS news

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood girls flag football team has earned a trip to Orlando to witness the national flag football championship at the Pro Bowl, marking the culmination of a championship season for this trailblazing group.

Amidst the familiar high school scenes of laughter and animated conversations, football takes center stage. These teenagers, bonded by their love for the game, break stereotypes as they excel in flag football.

Quarterback Jasmine Conners expresses the excitement of challenging norms in football, saying, “Football is usually like men playing tackle football. When you start talking about us being really good at flag football, that definitely does bring out some more excitement in a lot of people.”

Their shared purpose and unbreakable bond are evident as they recount thrilling plays and hard-fought victories. The journey reached its pinnacle during the third annual High School Girls Flag Football League hosted by the Jets. Ridgewood, fueled by the memory of last year’s playoff loss, achieved an undefeated season, culminating in a dominant championship win over Hillside with a final score of 47-6.

To celebrate their achievement, the team has been gifted a free trip to Orlando during Pro Bowl weekend to witness the flag football championships. Head coach Mickey McDermott expresses the team’s relentless excitement about the upcoming trip, highlighting the impact of this journey in empowering women across the United States to pursue their goals.

The team’s success has broader implications, inspiring and paving the way for more young female athletes. Receiver/pass rusher Ally Zegarra articulates the importance of being role models, stating, “I just want them to see someone they can look up to.”

With 83 New Jersey schools having a girls flag football program last year, the growing interest has prompted the state to turn it into a pilot sport for the next two years before officially sanctioning it as a varsity sport. The Ridgewood team’s contribution has played a significant role in advancing the sport and empowering female athletes.