Girls flag football is officially a high school sport in Oregon — and Madras High School was among the trailblazers who helped make it happen.
The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) recently voted to formally sanction girls flag football as an official varsity sport, a milestone that advocates say will open new doors for young female athletes across the state and create a legitimate pathway toward collegiate play.
Central Oregon Schools Led the Way
Last season, six Central Oregon schools fielded girls flag football teams ahead of official sanctioning: Mountain View, Summit, Bend High, Crook County, Madras, and Central Christian. Their participation helped push Oregon past the threshold of 50 teams statewide — the number required to trigger OSAA review for official sport status.
"It's just been explosive growth in Oregon and across the United States. Girls are playing flag football, and they're loving it. Once we knew we hit the threshold of 50 teams last year, we expected this to get passed. But still, it's always a relief to see that happen, and we're excited moving forward." — Central Christian coach Matt McCaw
What Official Sanctioning Means for Athletes
Formal OSAA sanction brings meaningful changes for players and programs across Oregon:
- Access to state championship competition
- Official statistics tracking and recognition
- Greater legitimacy for athletes seeking college scholarships
- Standardized rules, certified officiating, and safety protocols
- Equal standing alongside other varsity sports for letters and awards
A National Wave Reaches Jefferson County
Girls flag football has surged in popularity nationwide, fueled in part by NFL flag youth programs and the broader expansion of women's football at the collegiate level. The sport offers a version of football with significantly reduced contact, making it accessible to a wider range of athletes and more palatable for families concerned about injury risk.
For Madras High School athletes, official sanction means performances on the flag football field now carry the same institutional weight as any other varsity sport. Coaches and school administrators expect interest to grow heading into next spring's sanctioned season, as word spreads that post-season competition — including a potential state championship — is now on the table.
Stay tuned to Madras Bulletin Sports for updates on the Eagles' flag football roster and schedule as the program enters its first officially sanctioned season.