Girls flag football kicks off at Austin public schools

The big picture: Texas' University Interscholastic League (UIL) doesn't formally consider flag football a high school sport, but it has grown nationwide as another option for female athletes.

• This year, the NCAA's Atlantic East Conference introduced women's flag football. Men's and women's flag football will also debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
• Austin-based Concordia University Texas launched a varsity women's flag football team in the fall.

What they're saying: "Football has given me so much. Now, as a 'Girl Dad' myself, I want to thank the girls for paving the way today, and for breaking barriers to grow the game," Prescott said in a statement earlier this year announcing the Cowboys' partnership with AISD and other Texas public school districts.

Zoom out: The NFL has been working since 2016 to encourage more girls to play flag football.

• It is now a varsity sport in 14 states and at more than 50 colleges and universities, per the Cowboys.

• UIL has said more schools need to establish programs for the league to consider sanctioning the sport in Texas.

Zoom in: The Houston Texans earlier this year announced partnerships with Round Rock ISD and Pflugerville ISD to support girls flag football programs.

📍 If you go: Squads from a dozen AISD high schools will compete today and tomorrow, starting at 5:30pm at the Toney Burger Athletic Center in South Austin. Admission is free.

• The playoffs take place May 23.

The bottom line: "Get ready for some Friday Night Lights in May," Austin ISD Athletics posted to X.