Jada Wilson and Emmalyn Lopez weren’t going to take no for an answer — and people at Essex Tech were so excited about their idea that they didn’t even have to ask twice, anyway.
Lopez, a freshman from Beverly, and Wilson, a senior from Peabody, both have a passion for the growing sport of girls flag football. Though the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association voted not to recognize it as an official varsity sport recently, the New England Patriots sponsor a league that allows high schools to play at the club level.
The pair approached Essex Tech athletic director T.J. Baril as well as head football coach Tim Freiermuth and boys soccer coach Brian Scott about starting a team. They put up flyers around school to gauge interest, and a ton of girls signed on.
The rest is Hawks history, and the squad currently has 36 players (probably enough to field two teams next season)
“Knowing we had the support of our teachers, and coaches, that’s what kept Jada and I motivated to get the school on board,” said Lopez, the team’s quarterback.
The Patriots Girls High School Flag Football League started in 2023 with eight teams. In just three seasons, it has grown sevenfold to 56 teams across four divisions all over Massachusetts. Essex Tech plays in the Northeast along with established programs like state champion St. Mary’s Lynn and Peabody High (which has two teams), along with local newcomers like Bishop Fenwick and Salem.
With Freiermuth and Scott as co-directors, the Hawks stand at 5-3, good for sixth place in a 16-team division. Each game day typically features a doubleheader, so the Hawks will play Salem and Chelsea at Chelsea this Wednesday, then face Chelsea and Barnstable in Revere next Monday, May 19 to wrap up the regular season.
“I’m so happy with the support that we’ve had,” said Wilson, who is already licensed in cosmetology and will graduate soon. “I had both Mr. Freiermuth and Mr. Scott as teachers and they’re amazing. They both took on this position with open arms and have been so willing to learn with us along the way.”
How the game is played
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, more than a half-million girls around the country between the ages of 7 and 17 play flag football. Wilson played the game at the youth level from 2016-19 before stopping due to an injury, and Lopez has a ton of experience at the elite youth level.
The game somewhat mirrors the summer passing leagues boys take part in, using a shortened field and a running clock with two 18-minute halves. Each team has five players on the field, with the offense using a QB, center and three receivers.
There is no tackling — instead, defenders pull the flags off the belt of the ballcarrier to mark them down.
“I’d say the most challenging thing about defense is the focus you need to keep an eye on all of the receivers, where the ball is going and then grabbing the flag,” said Wilson. “With that being said, it’s also my favorite part of playing defense. The anticipation and trying to know what’s going to happen before it happens is super fun.”
After the snap, the quarterback has seven seconds to throw the ball downfield. The defense is also allowed to rush (they must declare they’re blitzing before the snap), so oftentimes the QB is on the move as she looks to complete a pass.
“It’s challenging finding that open person while running from the rusher,” said Lopez. “The thing I like most about my position is that I get to lead the team, and it challenges me mentally and physically. Every time I go on to the field, I have to read the situation and make different decisions. Every single play is different than the last.”
Athletes come to flag from a wide range of backgrounds. Some have been playing for years, some were drawn by their fandom of the NFL and are familiar with the rules from watching on TV, and some are totally brand new. The important thing is that all players are welcome, and anyone can pick up the game fairly quickly.
“The absolute best thing is that most of the girls have never even picked up a football before, and now their interest is helping to grow it and bring more knowledge to girls at the high school level,” said Lopez.
The league’s final playoffs usually take place on the turf at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. The Patriots have also had teams play exhibitions during halftime of NFL games in the fall. It’s all part of increasing visibility and bringing all the team-building, positive things about tackle football to girls of all ages.
“The team we created has become one big family,” Wilson added. “I’m so excited to see where it goes from here.”
History made
Not many people get to be a part of the first game in their school’s history, but that’s what the Hawks got to experience earlier this spring. It may have been a bit of a rocky start since early practices were limited by bad weather, Wilson said, but coming together and hitting their stride made the progress that much more satisfying.
“The first game we won, our whole team went wild,” she said. “We were all so proud of each other. We grow as a team during each game and practice, and we continue to improve.”
The first win under the team’s belt came against Cambridge, 27-21 and recently they strung together three straight wins.
“Knowing that we were making school history really was the icing on the cake,” said Lopez, who recalled the team’s first points that came in the opener against St. Mary’s Lynn. “Scoring our first touchdown is a whole different story. That milestone was incredible because it was during our second-ever offensive drive against the reigning champs.”
Lopez feels one of the best things about flag football is meeting peers from other cities with a similar interest that she might never had crossed paths with. The differences in the positions on the field and the competitive nature of the game are also big draws.
“The biggest selling point is that there’s always another level to get to, there’s always the opportunity of being able to play more competitively and being able to make a lot of new friends,” she said.
What’s next?
The Patriots are always accepting new schools for their league, while at the college level the NCAA has approved the sport for the Emerging Sports for Women program, with more than 65 schools sponsoring teams. The International Olympic Committee also approved the sport for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, so the locals are hoping the MIAA follows suit in the near future.
“I think it’ll look completely different in 5-10 years. The Olympics will help this amazing sport get so much more visibility and exposure,” Lopez said. “Spreading the love for flag is one of the most important things we can do to grow this game.”
What sorts of students and athletes should play flag football? Any and all of them, says Wilson.
“I’ve been a dancer my whole life and I did gymnastics, cheer, soccer and basketball. Flag is the one sport I never stopped talking about, and it’s always been my favorite,” she said. “To all of the girls thinking about playing flag football — DO IT!.”
You can learn more about the New England Patriots Girls Flag Football League at https://www.pghsf.org/