Four out of the 13 Prince William, Virginia, high schools’ girls’ flag football team kicked off their first season at the Commanders Big Bear.ai practice bubble facility on Tuesday afternoon.
This is the first time a group of young women athletes has had the chance to compete in flag football.
“This is awesome; it’s the first time we’ve ever won,” said Payton Brown, a wide receiver at Brentsville District High School. Brown said this is her first year playing, but they play powderpuff every year. She even scored a touchdown to defeat Battlefield High School.
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“It’s the greatest thing ever, honestly. It’s such a great achievement, and I’m so proud of my team; thank you to the Commanders team,” Brown said. Brown’s goals for the season include making it to the District Championship.
For many students, this was the first time for student-athletes to participate, including Gar-Field Senior High School senior, Adrianna Ruffin.
Ruffin is a QB and said she knows a “few things about football.”
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“It means a lot because female sports don’t get a lot of recognition,” Ruffin told 7News. Ruffin said she wishes the school district had offered the sport in her previous high school years, as it brought her peers closer.
Commanders players and Washington Legends will also join in on the action, cheering on the teams and supporting the next generation of elite athletes as they begin their football careers, the team said.
Dan Quinn, the Commanders’ head coach, was spotted in between plays – some of the players running down the sidelines to snag a picture with him.