By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
Friday night lights have a new meaning at The Pfield in Pflugerville this month.
For the past two weeks on Wednesdays, girls flag football teams from nine high schools face off in the inaugural season of the Pflugerville/Round Rock ISD league as part of a pilot program to grow the sport in Texas.
When Linley Menefee found out Round Rock was fielding a team, the freshman girls basketball player didn’t hesitate to sign up.
“I really enjoy getting to play football,” Menefee said. “Coach called me in to her office and told me about it I was excited. Once this really takes off, and it will, I think people will enjoy coming out and watching us play.”
Through a partnership with the NFL’s Houston Texans, Menefee and hundreds of female athletes from Rouse, Hutto and seven schools from Round Rock and Pflugerville ISD have a new opportunity.
And it’s taking off in a big way.
The nine-team league has played two weeks of games. Menefee and the Dragons are currently tied with Rouse for first place with a 4-0 record.
Round Rock coach Ashley Castro said the league puts the girls on an equal playing field.
“We have some girls that are outstanding athletes,” she said. “When they were given the opportunity to play, the girls really excelled at it. I’ve already had several girls come up to me and ask about playing next year. This is only going to get bigger.”
Girls flag football is already gaining popularity all over the United States. There are currently 18 state high school athletic associations that sanction girls flag football as a varsity sport, including Florida, California and New York.
The UIL considered adding girls flag football as a sport during last year’s summer meeting but tabled a resolution to do so.
The NFL has partnered with select school districts in 16 states to create pilot programs such as the one in Pflugerville and Round Rock.
“I’m super happy to be able to be a part of this league and see girls out here playing football and competing,” said Weiss coach Karen Huffman. “I think this should be a UIL sport. Look at the crowd, the fans are here, the communities are committed, and the girls are ready. This is Texas, who doesn’t love football.”
The Pflugerville/Round Rock pilot program isn’t the only one getting underway in the Austin area.
Through a partnership with the Dallas Cowboys, Austin ISD is creating a similar pilot program for its 13 schools.
Austin ISD will host a tournament on May 16-17 and championship games will be played on May 23. Games will begin each night at 5:30 p.m. at Burger Stadium.
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Next week’s games
Games are played at The Pfield in Pflugerville
Round 1, 5:30 p.m.
Connally vs. Hutto
Hendrickson vs. McNeil
Pflugerville vs. Westwood
Round 2, 6:15 p.m.
Rouse vs. Weiss
Round Rock vs. Hutto
Westwood vs. Weiss
Round 3, 7 pm.
Pflugerville vs. Round Rock
Hendrickson vs. Rouse
McNeil vs. Connally
