Cincinnati Country Day Kicks off Its Inaugural Girls’ Flag Football Season

Photo by Jeremy McDaniel

The historic year for girls' athletics programs continues as Cincinnati Country Day fields its first-ever girls' flag football team. Under the leadership of Head Coach Dennis Coyle, who also serves as the school's head football coach and athletic director, the Nighthawks are building the foundation for what they hope will become a staple of the athletic program at CCDS.

The NFL, its marketing partners, and the Cincinnati Bengals have been a huge driver for flag football in the tri-state area, including our team here at Given Road. From providing uniforms and equipment to coaching support and showcases, they are helping make the sport more accessible and providing greater opportunities for women looking to participate in football.

Seven of ten seniors on the 2026 squad. Greta Varga, Alyssa Easter, Lilly Shafer, Ellie Texter, Leah Coyle, Noor Elkasaby, and Zsofia Varga.

One of the fastest-growing sports, NFL teams around the nation have taken a huge interest in supporting efforts to sanction the sport. Many high school associations and universities have added flag football as a varsity and club sport. The NCAA declared flag football as an official varsity sport with scholarship offers beginning this year. Both men's and women's flag football will make its debut at the Olympics in 2028.

On July 17, 2025, the OHSAA announced it will sanction a state championship event in girls' flag football starting in 2026. Ohio is the 17^th state to sanction the sport. According to the OHSAA, in 2021 there were just 20 schools in Ohio that had a team and now there are nearly 80. Southwest Ohio represents 41 of those teams, with 21 of them joining this spring, including the Cincinnati Country Day Nighthawks.

All 19 players on the team have participated in another sport this year, seven of them being four-sport athletes.

"I'm having an absolute blast coaching this group," says Dennis Coyle, head coach. "The girls have truly embraced learning the game and the concepts of flag football, and it's been incredible to watch their growth already, I really believe this sport is going to take off and become one of the most popular opportunities for female athletes, and I'm grateful to play even a small role in that, especially being part of this inaugural season. We're not focused on wins right now, our priority is player development, having fun, and laying a strong foundation for the future of this program."

Freshmen Gabby Yisreal, Talia Gholston, and Camila Garcia-Altuve.

The Nighthawks will play 10 games this season, the minimum required to participate in the state tournament. While the Miami Valley Conference does not house an official girl's flag football league, five opponents will be MVC schools: Cincinnati Christian, Purcell Marian, Roger Bacon, Summit Country Day, and St. Bernard.

With a full schedule and a state tournament opportunity ahead, each game will provide valuable experience for a young and evolving team. The inaugural season reflects Country Day's continued commitment to provide meaningful and diverse opportunities for students, whether that's on the field or in the classroom. 

2026 CCDS Flag Football Schedule

Story and photos by Madison Conley, sports information director