Riverside’s flag football team poses after winning the 2025 DPS conference title. Photo courtesy of Pirate Athletics Media.
Riverside’s first-ever varsity flag football season begins this week.
On May 6, 2026, the Board of Directors at the North Carolina High School Athletic Association voted 9-8 in favor of girls’ flag being sanctioned in North Carolina as an official varsity sport.
“I was super stoked and excited,” said senior Greyson Range. “It’s just one step closer to being a D1 sport nationwide.”
Range has already received multiple offers to play at the collegiate level, and she believes that the sanctioning in North Carolina will be an influential next step, especially for the female athletes coming after her.
One example of said athletes is freshman Ida Okun, who joined the team because she thinks it’ll be a fun way to make friends and hopes to go as far as possible in the state playoffs.
“I think that this is going to be the second most popular sport in America,” said Range. “It’s going to be a great gateway for women all around the world.”
“The more official it is, the more opportunities that will come,” said head coach Ryan Samuels.
One of the perks coming with the sport’s inaugural season is the first annual flag football state championship.
“That gives us an opportunity to play all the best teams in the state if we complete our goals, and be able to officially make a name for ourselves,” said Samuels. “Being conference champions was cool, but, now that it’s an official state sport, we have bigger goals.”
These aspirations are not unique to Riverside. Over 150 schools in North Carolina have girls’ flag football programs. However, Samuels believes they’re up to the task.
“We’re gonna go out there, we’re gonna compete. We’re gonna put our bodies on the line,” said Samuels. “I know it’s not tackle, but when the ball’s in the air, we’re gonna get it, we’re gonna go after it.”
Riverside’s first game is Sept. 10 against Triangle Math and Science Academy. The first girls flag state championship is scheduled for November 14, 2026.
“You just have to realize that if you put that feeling of not wanting to do it, not feeling like doing it, or feeling uncomfortable doing it aside, there’s a ring for you on the other end,” said Range. “I like my hands to be heavy, so we’re all aiming for a state championship.”
