Interest in flag football has grown rapidly in recent years. The Minnesota High School Flag Football League has doubled in size since 2025, its first year, with more than 100 schools currently participating.

The league is supported by the Star Tribune and the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings provided a $10,000 grant to help launch the East Ridge High School program.

Flag football is a noncontact sport where plays end when the ball carrier’s two flags are pulled from around her waist. Five players, a quarterback and four receivers, make up the offense. Defenders can cover or rush the passer on the 50-yard-long field. Teams get four plays to reach midfield from the 5-yard line for a first down, then four more attempts to score a touchdown.

East Ridge faced a difficult challenge in Week 1 of its first season. The team was tied at the end of regulation against district rival Woodbury High School.

“This is what you signed up for,” was the coaching staff’s message to the team. “You signed up to play under the lights in the big game against your crosstown rival and to have a chance to put the ball in your hands and win the game.”

Although the teams were tied at the end of regulation and again after the first overtime period, each team’s defense held strong until Woodbury won 14-13 after four overtimes.

“Win or lose, I was so proud of the girls, how they played and their mentality and determination on the field,” East Ridge head coach Jon Balagot said about the game.

That determination paid off when East Ridge got its revenge on its crosstown rival, winning 26-14 in what senior wide receiver Lane Stewart called her favorite moment of the season.

Stewart and quarterback Camryn Atkin, who also play on the school’s soccer team, share captain responsibilities. They attribute the flag football program to helping them build friendships with athletes from other sports.

“It’s something different than what girls have ever had before, so it is fun to go out there, try something new and learn together,” Stewart said.

Coach Balagot is excited for the future as he hopes to expand the program next year, but said he wants to get the program to a place where cuts are not necessary.

As the team enters the playoffs with a 3-5 record, Atkin and Stewart said flag football has brought people together, and they hope more girls give the sport a try.

East Ridge will again have the opportunity to show its determination when it faces Blaine in the District 13 quarterfinals at Tartan High School on Sunday, May 31, at 5 p.m.