Penn High School to add Girls Flag Football in Fall 2025

A new chapter in Penn High School’s rich sports history will begin in the Fall of 2025, as the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees voted to approve the formation of a Girls Flag Football Program. 

The P-H-M School Board vote on Monday, March 24, gives a green light to join the Girls Flag Football initiative in Indiana. The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) announced on Monday that 55 schools have committed to Girls Flag Football Teams for the 2025 season, an increase from 27 teams in 2024.

“We are thrilled to add girls flag football as a fall sport at Penn,” Athletic Director Jeff Hart said. “With the strong support of the IHSAA and the Indianapolis Colts, the interest around the state has been strong and we look forward to building a program that competes at a high level.  We will begin the process soon of hiring a head coach and meeting with interested students. We can’t wait to get started!”

The IHSAA is one of 19 state associations currently piloting the Girls Flag Football in conjunction with the NFL and the Indianapolis Colts. The NFL and the Colts are providing grants to Penn High School totaling $6,500 to support the 2025 and 2026 seasons. In addition, they will provide 25 black jerseys with “Vegas gold” lettering.

Plans are for Penn to play a seven-game regular-season schedule followed by the state tournament. The Northern Indiana Conference is projecting six teams for the 2025 season – Penn, Elkhart, South Bend Adams, South Bend Riley, South Bend St. Joseph and South Bend Washington.

Girls Flag Football will be played in a 7-vs.-7 format, with games lasting 60 minutes.

Plans are for Penn to field a Varsity team in 2025, with a Junior Varsity team to be added later. Tryouts/practice for the Penn Flag Football Team are scheduled to start on Monday, August 4.

Previously, Penn offered a Girls Flag Football tournament once a year around Homecoming, called “Powder Puff.” Four teams, made up of student-athletes from each class year, playing each other. The annual tournament has been very popular, and will remain part of Penn’s Homecoming week traditions.

Girls Flag Football at Penn will provide a new competitive outlet that fosters teamwork, leadership, and increased participation in education-based athletics. As the sport gains traction nationwide, this program will offer female students access to emerging scholarship opportunities and potential career pathways in sports. Additionally, it will strengthen the Penn Athletic community, build school spirit, and further enhance Penn’s reputation as a leader in Indiana high school sports.