Second season of Saints-supported girls flag football kicks off

(photo credit: Michael Democker / New Orleans Saints)

NEW ORLEANS – The second season of the Louisiana Girls Flag Football season is set to kick off Wednesday. With continued support from the New Orleans Saints and growing community backing, the league has expanded from its inaugural 10 teams to a whopping 20 from the New Orleans and Jefferson Parrish areas. 

Not only that, but the initiative will now also include 12 teams in Mississippi as well. The first season of the initiative, which was led by the Saints’ community engagement team, was a rousing success. This year promises to be even more exciting.

Kicking off season two of @Saints Girls HS Flag Football in Louisiana with uniform unboxing day! #girlsflag pic.twitter.com/JFJmb4UtOs

— New Orleans Saints Community (@SaintsinComm) March 25, 2025

Louisiana Programs:

• Academy of Our Lady
• Archbishop Chapelle High School
• Ben Franklin High School
• Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School
• Booker T. Washington High School
• De La Salle High School
• East Jefferson High School
• Edna Karr High School
• John Curtis Christian School
• John Ehret High School
• Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy
• Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orleans
• McDonogh 35 Senior High School
• Sarah T. Reed Senior High School
• Sophie B. Wright Charter School
• St. Katharine Drexel Preparatory School
• St. Mary’s Dominican High School
• The Willow School
• Warren Easton Charter High School
• West Jefferson High School

Mississippi Programs:

• Brandon High School
• East Central High School
• George County High School
• McComb High School
• Meridian High School
• Oak Gove High School
• Perry Central High School
• Picayune High School
• Richland High School
• South Pike High School
• St. Martin High School
• Vancleave High School

Over 100 schools that are members of the Louisiana High School Athletics Association (LHSAA) have expressed interest in the league. Earlier this year, the LHSAA conditionally approved Girls Flag Football to become a sport across the state with a finalizing vote on the way in April. The momentum behind this endeavor is palpable with Flag Football being one of the fastest-growing sports across the globe, especially with Olympic representation on the way.

The league has had a major impact on many of the high schoolers that were able to take part last year. Several students noted the confidence-building nature of being involved, the camaraderie it has created among them and the values they are learning from teamwork to health and staying active.

Beyond the students, coaches that have gotten involved have been impacted as well, as Academy of Our Lady girls flag football head coach Joel Lutz has shared.

“Having the opportunity to coach this team quite literally and simply changed my life,” Lutz said. “The fulfillment was immense. I felt for the first time in my life that I was living my calling.”

Lutz had to leave his previous career in the mortgage industry a few years ago after interest rates spiked. After leaving that path, he went to his alma mater of Archbishop Shaw looking for opportunities. Through that search, he found his way to being the head coach of the girls flag football team for Shaw’s sister school, Academy of Our Lady. Since, he’s been offered additional coaching opportunities and now is a full-time faculty member at the school.

Initiatives like this can be life changing, as evidenced by Lutz. And the long-term impact on the students that finally get to participate in a sport that many have long expressed interest in is sure to be tenfold. 

The Louisiana season kicks off Wednesday afternoon with a pair of matchups hosted at John Curtis High School and another trio at Willow High School, including last year’s champions at Da La Salle taking on John Ehret. Mississippi will kick off its season Thursday.