Flag football coming to WCMS
The sport that has captured the hearts and attention of Warren County is going to be growing even more in 2027. Warren County Middle School announced this afternoon it will be adding flag football next year, another huge step in building local momentum for the sport.
Warren County High School has had flag football for the past two seasons and the Lady Pioneers have already grown into one of the best programs in the state. Warren County was 17-2 this season and advanced to the region final, ultimately falling to Blackman, a Final Four participant in the state tournament. Coach Paul Willis Martin has guided WCHS to a 28-7 record in two seasons and believes adding a feeder program will not only sustain success, but enhance it.
“Strong high school programs are built long before players enter high school,” said Martin. “I’m extremely excited to hear that flag football will be at WCMS next year.”
Flag football hasn't just been a success - it's been a driving force in helping local girls make it to college as well. Shelby Miller, Allie Melton and Ariyanna Rippy have all signed to attend Cumberland University next year on flag football scholarships, following in the footsteps of Bri Taylor, who scored the first Phoenix touchdown in school history this spring.
Flag football is growing at the college level too, with the NCAA recently announcing it will hold championships in the sport starting in 2028. It will help establish Division I, Division II and Division III championship tournaments for the sport, which has exploded locally since the TSSAA pushed to add it during the spring season last year.
Warren County Middle School athletic director Betsy McBride was happy to be bringing the sport to grades 6-8 next year.
“We are very excited to add flag football to our sports calendar for next season,” said McBride. “We want to build flag football fundamentals at the middle school level so these athletes are ready for high school competition. At this time, I know a few schools that have approved flag football at their middle schools and several that are in discussion. We hope it will continue to grow for more competition.”
The search is already on for the next leader of the young Lady Pioneers. Prospective coaches can apply soon on the warrenschools.com website under job listings.
