(5-18-25) Today Badin defeated Willoughby South 40-16 in the 2025 Ohio High School Inaugural Girls Flag Football State title game played at Massillon ‘s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

The Battle of Ohio tournament saw Badin beat Berkshire 28-25 and then Mount Notre Dame 27-21 in overtime leading into the state final against Willoughby South who beat Shroder in the 1st round 34-0 and Seton 20-14 in the semifinal game.

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2025 Ohio High School Girls Flag Football Champions

Photo by: Badin High School

Representing the Browns division were Willoughby South, Edgewood, Berkshire and Massillon. From the Bengals division, Mount Notre Dame, Badin, Seton and Shroder.

Bengals.com said the 2025 season featured 350 student-athletes from 20 local schools in Greater Cincinnati, up from six participating schools in 2024.

Courtesy Cincinnati Bengals

There’s a new Battle of Ohio. Eight teams – four representing the Bengals and four representing the Browns – competed in the Inaugural Ohio Girls High School Flag Football State Championship at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon on Sunday.

Badin (13-3) defeated Willoughby South 40-16 to win the state championship title. This is Badin’s first year participating in Girls High School Flag Football.

Badin Assistant Flag Football Coach Christy Even

“This is history today and it’s amazing. This has been an amazing first year. The girls have been phenomenal. They’ve taken everything we’ve said and implemented it. We’re excited to continue this tradition at Badin High School.”

Badin is part of the growth of Girls High School Flag Football in Cincinnati. The 2025 season featured 350 student-athletes from 20 local schools, up from six participating schools in 2024.

The Bengals hosted Cincinnati’s Girls High School Flag Football Championship presented by Secret at Paycor Stadium on May 10. The top four teams – Mount Notre Dame, Badin, Seton and Shroder – advanced to Sunday’s Battle of Ohio State Championship.

Badin High School Senior Ella Pfirman

“It’s such an accomplishment. Just coming up here in the first place is great. Seeing all of these teams. They were all amazing. It was a great experience. It’s a great way to end senior year.”

The Bengals are investing to bring football to more women through the fast-growing sport of flag football. Through partnerships with USA Football and NIKE, the Bengals provide equipment and uniforms to local high schools in addition to opportunities for stipends and access to girls flag themed events leading up to and following the regular season. Together with NFL FLAG, NFHS and other league partners, the Bengals are focused on providing a pathway to sanctioning under the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) for Girls High School Flag Football.

Pfirman added-

“I’m a huge Bengals fan. With the power in our community, flag football will become really popular. We have so many people at school who are excited to be on the team next year. There’s definitely growth.”

For more information on Girls High School Flag Football, visit www.bengals.com/community/girls-flag-football.

OHSAA Sanctioning in the future????

While numerous state associations have sanctioned Girls Flag Football the Ohio High School Athletic Association seems to be dragging their feet. With the support of two NFL franchises, Cincinnati and Cleveland, why the delay.

INDIANA – Girls Flag Football Approved As An EmergingSport

ILLINOIS – Girls Flag Football To Debut As IHSA Sport In Fall Of 2024

Then again maybe not having the OHSAA involved could be a good thing for the sport.

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