Girls flag football under way in 2026
It was there he led a U.S. women’s tackle football team, witnessing an impressive turnout for a sport that had only been viewed during the Super Bowl.
“There’s a lot of unrecognized interest,” Curtin said. “Then, one person starts a league and 160 girls show up. You’re like, ‘Where do these people come from?’ As soon as someone says, ‘Here’s your opportunity,’ there they are.”
Curtin has seen a similar rise in girls flag football, as he is leading the Lady Admirals for the first TSSAA-sanctioned season in 2026.
FHS, Bearden and Hardin Valley have fielded teams, each one of the 14 Knox County schools that participated in the inaugural campaign more than a year ago. The top seven teams from each district are seeded for a district tournament, then the winner of
that tournament reaches the eight-team state tournament in May.
Still, the biggest changes for this year are the rule differences on the field.
“The biggest thing is that this year, there’s really no rules to slow down the rusher,” Bearden coach Zach Scott said. “In 2024, they had a 5-yard limit and had to have the rusher start 5 yards from the ball. This year it’s a neutral zone like regular football,
and you can rush all 7. That makes the snap huge, so the quarterback has to be athletic and will have half a second or a second less than a quarterback in tackle football.”
These changes have a toll on players, as each team features a mix of dual-sport athletes and players who have never played a sport before.
Farragut already lost one quarterback to an ankle injury. It has relied on players, such as swimmer Aydan Skelton, another QB, and Bella Bruton, a linebacker and offensive weapon who is the daughter of new FHS offensive coordinator, Daniel Bruton.
The Lady Ads dropped their first two games of the year to Anderson County and Carter while Bearden is 2-0 with athletes, such as Isabella Jones.
Hardin Valley has looked to players like running back Nevaeh Bellamy while shuffling quarterbacks before their first game March 27.
“They’re finally getting a chance to participate in
something they’ve been surrounded with all the time,” Curtin added.
“They love trying a new sport and getting in the game. Our seniors have a shot to put their stamp on a new sport before they leave. All that history is on the table, so that’s neat for them. And I’m excited to see other kids in the stands to watch them on the field.”
