Badin Wins Inaugural Ohio Girls High School Flag Football State Championship

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

"This is history today and it's amazing," said Badin Flag Football Coach Christy Even. "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.

"It's such an accomplishment," said Badin High School Senior Ella Pfirman. "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.

"I'm a huge Bengals fan," said Pfirman. "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.