Ravenwood coach Ricky Rodriguez signals and shouts toward his team in the TSSAA girls flag football state invitational. CARL EDMONDSON JR.
Ravenwood brings back coach Ricky Rodriguez and two squads of seniors from the first team to win the TSSAA girls flag football state invitational.
Even with so much staying the same, the return of the sport will largely look different for the Raptors this spring.
The state association’s fast-tracking of girls flag football from emerging to state-championship status in June preempted a line of changes, and even more were added in August after the National Federation of High Schools released its first rules book.
Coaches and players shared their thoughts on the altered schedules, rules, state tournaments and college opportunities at the Tennessee Titans Girls Flag Media Day on Tuesday at Nissan Stadium.
“I think it gives the girls something different to look forward to,” Hendersonville coach Jennifer Bridenbaugh said. “Like, last year is not gonna look anything like this year, so it kind of gives them the opportunity to reignite the beginning phase.”
Ravenwood quarterback Caroline Merville throws against Stone memorial in the TSSAA girls flag football state invitational. FILE
Punts, pass rushers
One of the broadest changes from the NFHS rules book is punting. Previously, teams would walk 40 steps downfield to change possession on fourth down.
The other is swapping the starting distance for defensive rushers from five yards from the line of scrimmage to one.
Many teams have employed girls soccer players as a result of the first rule. Hendersonville and Liberty Creek, for example, have tried Chattanooga soccer signees Lilly Filler and Addie Taylor at the new position, and Green Hill and Ravenwood are also placing girls soccer players there.
“It’s just, like, you never really know where it’s going,” said Avery Brown, a midfielder for the Raptors who has handled punting duties through early practices. “I feel like for me it’s hard to aim. I just kind of kick it and hope for the best.”
Coaches and players agreed at this point there’s as much challenge in kicking as there is receiving punts.
Regarding the changed rushing distance, Liberty Creek coach Stetson Dickerson said it may put defenses ahead for much of the regular season.
“The one-yard rush is a huge difference, I think, in the game in general from last year to this year,” Green Hill’s head coach Josh Crouch said. “I think it invites a little bit more contact, too, which is a little scary. But you know, we’ve had to adapt.”
Added Ravenwood quarterback Caroline Merville: “It’s definitely a little harder.
“Just a lot quicker decision making, and just having to know immediately what you’re going to do and having to read where they’re going. It’s definitely a lot harder, but I like it. It’s more fun. Makes it more competitive.”
“I’m gonna get sacked a lot more this season,” because of the new rule, Dickerson’s quarterback and King University signee Olivia Tate said.
Shifting schedules
The changes aren’t all controversial.
The inclusion of a standard schedule – in place of once weekly, intra-county seasons similar to pilot programs in the Sumner and Wilson areas last year – allowed for flexibility for most coaches across the Midstate.
Creek Wood’s James Smith said he sent out 60 emails last season trying to complete a first schedule for the Red Hawks. They were limited with one other team in Dickson County and most other similar schools staying inside county lines.
A lot of that has been eased, he said, by the new structure.
Rodriguez experienced an opposite effect. The Raptors will travel to Stone Memorial for a state invitational rematch and as far east as Cleveland after struggling to fill a full slate.
“I’m very appreciative to those programs, but going forward in the future I’d like to get something together with the Rutherford County schools (and) the Metro schools,” Rodriguez said. “Because those programs are growing and it’s only increasing in competition and it’s only going to make Ravenwood High School better as well.”
Liberty Creek celebrates after a win in the TSSAA girls flag football state invitational. CARL EDMONDSON JR.
Power Four flag football
The NCAA may soon follow in the fast footsteps of the TSSAA with girls flag football.
Last month it was added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women Program, which could lead to it achieving a similar championship status as Tennessee high schools.
The Fiesta Bowl even introduced its own version of last year’s state invitational, launching the first college flag football championship in April featuring eight Division I schools.
“It’s incredible,” said Hendersonville’s Amanda Bourk, who is being recruited by UT Southern’s newly founded flag football program. “My brothers, they played college football, and so I was always wondering if I could do it, too.”
“It’s really nice to see it expand because it shows, like, important people are also seeing our efforts and pushing the sport to get to bigger leagues,” added Creek Wood’s Avery Bratton, who attended the NFL Girls Flag Showcase at the Pro Bowl Games and is committed to Cumberland University. “Like maybe eventually there’ll be a pro league or at (Division I) levels or have championships.
“It’s really amazing to see that and see that people actually care for us and the sport we love and have passion for.”