Nordonia Knights Make History as First-Ever OHSAA Girls Flag Football State Champions
CANTON, Ohio — The Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium witnessed a groundbreaking moment in Ohio high school sports as eight girls’ flag football teams battled for the inaugural OHSAA state championship on Saturday. In a thrilling finale, Nordonia High School from Summit County edged out Mount Notre Dame of Cincinnati 20-19, with freshman Ava McLendon securing the game-winning touchdown.
A Landmark Day for Girls’ Flag Football
The tournament kicked off with four simultaneous games, showcasing the rapid growth of girls’ flag football in Ohio. Among the standout teams was Berkshire, whose passionate supporters, including dedicated fan “Uncle Rae,” celebrated the opportunity for female athletes to shine in a new arena.
“It’s super special,” Rae said. “We have quite a few seniors playing this year. This gives girls another sport to excel in.”
A Championship for the Ages
The final showdown between Nordonia and Mount Notre Dame kept fans on the edge of their seats. The decisive moment came when McLendon, a former dancer and cheerleader, caught a pass from senior quarterback Hadyn Paul and sprinted into the end zone.
“I thought, ‘This could be it,’” McLendon recalled. “And it was just amazing.”
For Paul, the victory was doubly meaningful—she’s set to play both flag football and basketball at John Carroll University next year.
“I never imagined I’d come this far,” Paul said. “To play both my favorite sports in college is going to be incredible.”
A Legacy in the Making
Nordonia’s win marks not only the first girls’ flag football state title in OHSAA history but also just the second girls’ team championship in the school’s history.
“We’re setting the pace for the future of flag football,” McLendon said.
Paul echoed the sentiment, calling the victory “surreal” and a testament to her team’s hard work. “It means so much to Nordonia and our community. Moments like this don’t happen often for us.”
As the sport continues to grow across Ohio, Saturday’s championship proved that girls’ flag football is here to stay—and these athletes are just getting started.
— Reported by Nexio News
