LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Las Vegas Raiders elevated girls' flag football to another level this season. On Thursday, the team won the Nevada high school state championships at Allegiant Stadium for the first time ever.
“All of my high school championships were in college stadiums and in the bigger stadiums and that was hallow ground for me," Raiders offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson said. "That’s something that I’ll never forget, so being able to give the opportunity to these girls to be able to play on such a big stage, in such a beautiful stadium, they’re going to remember this for the rest of their lives.”
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Nevada was the second state to sanction flag football as a varsity high school sport in 2016. Since then, the sport has quickly grown, with more than 1,600 participants and three classes of championships.
“It shows how big flag football really is and how much growth it’s had over the last few years," Virgin Valley Captain Ari Eaton said. "I’m excited that we had the chance to be here [at Allegiant Stadium], and I hope in the future we’re able to grow the sport even more.”
Hear more from the Virgin Valley staff and the team on what their win means to them:
Some players hope it changes at the collegiate level as well.
“It’s on the rise, and I hope to see it become a D1 sport," Foothill Quarterback Savanna Truax said. "I would’ve loved to play D1, and I’m really bummed that I didn’t have that opportunity, so I hope it continues to grow, and I hope the younger generation has the opportunity.
Hear more from the Foothill team on what it means to win their first-ever title:
The NIAA plans to work with the Raiders to keep the high school state title games at Allegiant for years to come.
“It’s a blessing that we’re able to share our field with them and give them the spotlight," Raiders Wide Receiver Jeff Foreman said. "The sky is the limit.”
