By Ryan Moxon — After more than 40 years as a gym-class and backyard staple, flag football has become an official high school sport in North Carolina, with the Hough High School girls team taking the field for the inaugural NCHSAA-sanctioned season.

Flag has been offered at a local level since 2022 under a partnership between Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the Carolina Panthers, but received sanctioning last spring by the NCHSAA, with the first official contests this fall. This season marks the first time a state champion will be crowned.

The transition from spring to fall has presented some challenges, said head coach Ryan Redd, including a short turnaround to prepare for the season, athletes choosing between flag football and other fall sports and a state-mandated dead period that limited opportunities for tryouts and preparation.

The new varsity designation also brings additional requirements, including using a school activity bus for road games and meeting NCHSAA eligibility requirements.

On the field

Hough is building on a spring season that ended with a loss to West Charlotte. The Huskies returned a strong core of players and Redd has set his sights on a conference championship and a deep playoff run.

“We have a lot of talent and returning players,” Redd said. “We have the potential to be a very good team that can compete with anyone in the state.”

The Huskies have several returning players contributing on both sides of the ball.

Defensively, Abby Yang is back at cornerback, where Redd points to her intelligence and coverage ability. Angie Rueda returns as a rusher and linebacker, while Ella Carnes is back at safety and Madison St Denis returns at linebacker.

Offensively, Deonna Parker is back at wide receiver, along with Gabby Hinds at receiver and center. Jocelyn Pradas contributes on both sides of the ball, while Ja’myra Dorce returns as a receiver.

Several newcomers also have become contributors.

Bria Karpeh plays receiver and defensive back, while Kate Gilmore, Laila Herriott and center Alanna Montemurno have contributed on offense.

Defensively, Alannah Broadaway has returned after missing last season because of track, and plays cornerback. Anna Rahaim and Mackenzie Kamara provide speed at rusher, while Lilly Franklin contributes at linebacker.

Hough uses many players on both sides of the ball, keeping its playmakers on the field in different combinations.

Zoie Klakulak, Dorce and Karpeh rotate at quarterback depending on the play call.

Season update

Hough opened the season against Palisades, which has won the last three city championships. Palisades beat the Huskies 31-0 in the season opener.

Hough responded with a gritty 19-14 win over Chambers and wins over Garinger and South Mecklenburg. The team moved to 4-1 with a 38-12 win Monday night over Myers Park.

There were no changes to Hough’s coaching staff for the new season. Redd, who played football in high school and college and has coached football for 15 years, is in his third season coaching flag football at Hough after playing the sport for more than seven years.

He said the team’s depth has been one of the most encouraging aspects of the season.

“I love that we have the ability to sub players in and it doesn’t change the level of play that we have on the field, offensively or defensively,” he said.

The Huskies also have emphasized playing for one another.

“We have a very unselfish team this season that are playing for one common goal — to win,” Redd said.

Flag growth

The sport has grown rapidly in North Carolina in recent years, with 117 teams competing in 2024-25 and 135 in 2025-26. By the time the NCHSAA approved sanctioning, 154 high schools had committed to field teams for the 2026-27 season.

The inaugural NCHSAA championship is scheduled for Nov. 14, with playoffs beginning Oct. 31.