There’s a new game in town.
This spring, Camden Catholic High School officially became the first school from the Camden Diocese to introduce girls flag football to its student body, as the Irish joined a sport that is exploding in popularity nationwide.
Sponsored nationally by the National Football League and locally by the Philadelphia Eagles, the seven-on-seven sport has become the latest craze in high school sports.
“I’m glad that we’re in on it now because it is sweeping the nation,” said Barbara Hertline, Camden Catholic head coach. “It’s going to be huge in the next few years everywhere, so for us to be able to jump on it now – especially when we’ve been able to be supported and sponsored by the NFL and the Eagles – is really great.”
New Jersey is still in the early stages of competition as it entered its final season as a pilot program, with the intention of being a fully sanctioned varsity sport by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association in the next few years. Teams would then have the opportunity to play for state championships.
The Philadelphia Eagles launched the Girls Flag Football league in 2022 with 16 original members. Two years later, high school girls flag football became a state-sanctioned sport in Pennsylvania, joining 13 other states. The initiative has expanded to include more than 65 teams from Pennsylvania and now 31 from South Jersey. Across the entire state of New Jersey, with the help of the New York Giants and New York Jets, there are nearly 150 schools fielding flag football teams.
“Just seeing the push from the Eagles and the push from the NFL and that it’s going to be an Olympic sport in 2028 — it’s blowing up in popularity,” said Jim McHugh, Camden Catholic athletic director. “We wanted to be on the forefront and make sure that we were able to get that support from the Eagles in starting our program, but also we’re always looking for ways to be attractive to potential students and families.”
The Eagles donated the equipment and helped in several areas to jumpstart the program. The Irish did the rest of the work. Nearly 50 students showed up to an interest meeting earlier in the school year.
“I used to run track in the spring, so this is all new to me,” junior Aden Jackson said. “But when I heard about the team, I got really excited because I knew me and my sister could play together.”
Jackson and her twin sister, Ayana, added flag football to their heavy athletic schedules; they both play soccer and basketball at Camden Catholic as well.
“It’s awesome,” Aden Jackson said. “We’ve always played sports together, and we form a better bond playing more sports together. It’s a great learning opportunity, too. We learn to be better teammates and be tougher opponents as well.”
The Irish have hit the ground running. In its first three games, Camden Catholic is undefeated and has outscored its opponents, 157-6.
“It’s cool, but we need to stay humble and worry about the next competition,” said sophomore quarterback Makayla Bernard, who threw for 17 touchdowns in her first three games. “Winning with the girls is fun and exciting because we come out here every day and work really hard, and then we execute [the plays] in the games.”
Hertline calls on assistant Ken Klotz to help integrate a playbook and work with the team on fundamentals. Klotz is also an assistant coach for the Irish’s volleyball team and has played flag football competitively for several years.
“I knew my first call would be to coach Ken Klotz because I know he’s the master of plays and would get us to where we needed to be,” Hertline said. “It really just flowed so early from the beginning.”
Other South Jersey teams playing their inaugural season this spring are Burlington Township, Gloucester Tech, Thrive Charter, Trenton Central, Williamstown and Winslow. Regardless of wins and losses, it will be a memorable season for all.
“This has been an incredible experience,” Hertline said. “I have loved every minute of this. I just told the girls that this is my favorite part of the day, when we come out here for a practice or a game. To get in on the ground level and be a part of history here at Camden Catholic is really exciting. It’s something these girls are going to look back on in their old age and say, ‘We were the first.’”
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
