Our Lady of the Elms School Launches First Girls Flag Football Team

AKRON, Ohio — Our Lady of the Elms School is proud to introduce its first-ever Girls Flag Football team, marking a historic moment for the school and an exciting new chapter in athletics for Elms students.

This spring, Elms student-athletes will take the field as part of the Cleveland Browns Girls High School Flag Football program, presented by Gatorade in association with Bridgestone. While the program continues to grow across Northeast Ohio, for the Elms, this season is about something deeper, creating new opportunities for girls to lead, compete, and discover their strength.

In a community built to support and empower young women, the addition of flag football reflects what makes the Elms experience distinct. Here, students are encouraged to try something new, step outside their comfort zones, and lead with confidence, whether in the classroom, on stage, or now, on the field.



“Our team is stepping into something new together,” said Coach Luke Varner. “They’re learning the game, building trust, and growing more confident every day. It’s been exciting to watch them support one another and represent the Elms in a whole new way.”

“Playing a new sport can be intimidating, but I’ve learned that with a team like ours, there’s so much more to it than just the game,” said quarterback Liydia Lile ‘27. “We’re building relationships and confidence, and most importantly, we’re growing together no matter where we start.”

The Cleveland Browns launched Girls High School Flag Football in 2021 in partnership with Northeast Ohio Flag Football, creating the first official girls high school division in Ohio. Their long-term vision is to expand access and establish a pathway for the sport to become a sanctioned varsity offering through the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

For Elms students, being part of this initiative means more than participating in a fast-growing sport. It means helping shape the future of girls' athletics while living out the values that define an Elms education: its leadership, courage, and community.

As the team begins its inaugural season, these young women are stepping onto the field with determination and pride, supported by a school community that believes in who they are and who they are becoming.



The Elms community looks forward to cheering them on and celebrating this exciting milestone together.

2026 Our Lady of the Elms Flag Football Schedule

  • Friday, March 20, 7:00 p.m. at Ellet

    • vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary

  • Sunday, March 22, 11:00 a.m. at Massillon

    • vs. Canton GlenOak

  • Sunday, March 22, 1:00 p.m. at Massillon

    • vs. Hoban

  • Friday, March 27, 6:00 p.m. at Akron InfoCision Stadium

    • vs. Akron Early College

  • Sunday, March 29, 11:00 a.m. at Akron InfoCision Stadium

    • vs. Barberton

  • Sunday, March 29, 12:00 p.m. at Akron InfoCision Stadium

    • vs. Tallmadge

  • Sunday, April 12, 11:00 a.m. at Tallmadge

    • vs. Massillon

  • Sunday, April 12, 12:00 p.m. at Tallmadge

    • vs. Akron Buchtel

  • Sunday, April 19, 12:00 p.m.

    • vs. Canton McKinley

  • Sunday, April 26, 11:00 a.m. at Ellet

    • vs. Ellet CLC

  • Sunday, April 26, 1:00 p.m. at Ellet

    • vs. Field (Mogadore)

View the Full Schedule
Amber Hejl