This time next week, there will be an extra buzz when it comes to football on the high school level in Beaufort County.

Not only will the guys be preparing for the start of the NC High School Athletic Association state football playoffs, the ladies will be making final preparations for a new venture into flag football.

On Nov. 15, schools from all over the state will be playing the first set of games to crown state champions. That includes Northside, Washington and Southside. One day later, 7-on-7 flag football teams from those same schools will begin play at Washington High School. It’s part of a new program Beaufort County Schools will be trying out along with schools from Craven and Pitt counties.

“So it’s been a big, big deal in the sense of just anticipation,” BCS Athletic Director Keith Mitchell said. “I’m excited for the girls because it’s something they’ve never been able to do. Just speaking to different female athletes at the different high schools, they’re excited, they seem to be interested in what it’s all about and how it’ll run, and so I’m just It’s good for Beaufort County.”

Here’s some of the things you’ll need to know from the information Mitchell and others have put together to get the season started.

Tryouts and practice: Teams opened up on Monday. Washington, Northside and Southside can field up to 18 teen girls on a team. Teams began practices Wednesday (Nov. 6) after a team was selected.

Who else is involved: Havelock, New Bern and West Craven schools will also be in an Eastern Division with the Beaufort County schools. Those schools will play 10 games during three weeks (3 games first and second week, 4 games third week). There is also a Western Division comprised of mostly Pitt County Schools.

Games: They will be played in a jamboree-style format with two teams on one 50-yard field section and two on the other. Games usually take less than an hour to play. The first two weekends will be at Washington High School with the third week at West Craven High School. A single-elimination tournament championship will be played on Dec. 14 at ECU North Campus, just off Hwy. 264 in Greenville.

Cost: $10. Tickets can be purchased through the GoFan website, which has been used by high schools this season. A card reader will be available to purchase tickets at games at Washington High School.

Coaches: Washington – Brad Horton and Dallis Tucker; Northside – Michelle Leathers and Jared Adams; Southside – Kam Rouse 

Schedule: Week 1, Nov. 16 (at Washington High School)

9 a.m.: West Craven vs. New Bern; Northside vs. Washington

10 a.m.: Southside vs. Havelock

11 a.m.: Washington vs. West Craven; New Bern vs. Southside

Noon: Havelock vs. Northside

1 p.m.: Havelock vs. West Craven; Washington vs. New Bern

2 p.m.: Northside vs. Southside

Week 2, Nov. 23 (at Washington High School)

9 a.m.: Washington vs. Southside; Northside vs. West Craven

10 a.m.: New Bern vs. Havelock

11 a.m.: New Bern vs. Northside; Southside vs. West Craven

Noon: Havelock vs. Washington

1 p.m.: West Craven vs. New Bern; Havelock vs. Southside

2 p.m.: Washington vs. Northside

Flag football has many of the same positions as regular football but there are only seven players on both sides of the ball. (USA Flag Football graphic)

Flag football has many of the same positions as regular football but there are only seven players on both sides of the ball. (USA Flag Football graphic)Week 3, Dec. 7 (at West Craven High School)

9 a.m.: Northside vs. Havelock; Washington vs. West Craven

10 a.m.: Southside vs. New Bern

11 a.m.: Havelock vs. West Craven; New Bern vs. Washington

Noon: Northside vs. Southside

1 p.m.: Southside vs. Washington; Havelock vs. New Bern

2 p.m.: West Craven vs. Northside; Havelock vs. Washington

3 p.m.: New Bern vs. Northside; Southside vs. West Craven

 

Of note: The NCHSAA is allowing flag football to be played as an experimental sport. It has not yet sanctioned the sport. This is a similar step that was recently taken for field hockey. It’s likely the sport could be sanctioned for play as early as the 2025-26 season. Mitchell said other area counties have expressed interest in playing down the road.

“We’re the furthest east playing this year so we wanted to get to you know, maybe get a leg up on everybody and because it’s not a sanctioned sport from the high school association,” Mitchell said. “It’s still what we call almost an intramural sport, but it gives our athletes an opportunity.”

Carolina Panthers and USA Football: Rules and positions are similar to 11-man football but there is no tackling. The Carolina Panthers allocation is $2,500 to each school until the sport is sanctioned. That money will be used for coaching stipends, officials, flags and footballs.

Sponsors: Washington Morning Rotary Club and Chartered 1920 gave a $3,500 donation with Engraver’s World helping offset uniform costs. The organizations will be recognized on the sleeve of every uniform much like pro sports does now with sponsorship recognition.

“We want to make sure it’s done in the right way and number one for safety for everyone and number two for just a great experience that they can take on for the rest of their life,” Mitchell said. “As you know, there’s a lot of flag football in college sports, you know college campuses and even beyond that with adult leagues and stuff. So this is an opportunity to see if they like it.

“Come out, support us and have fun.”

 

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