Girls high school flag football season kicks off in Orchard Park

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Dozens of schools faced off this weekend during the annual High School Girls Flag Football Kickoff at the Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse as the sport continues to gain yards in popularity among local students.

More than 60 high schools throughout the region participated between Saturday and Sunday. Organizers said it was the largest turnout to date.

"This is a great atmosphere," said Niagara Wheatfield girls varsity flag football coach John Coulter. "You see all these girls out here from all these different schools -- Section V, Section VI -- it's just really fun to see."

Teams from all over the region gathered in Orchard Park for the event and played on the same field where the Bills hold their practices.

"It's kind of of awe-inspiring," Coutler said. "You know, the guys that everybody watches every Sunday in the fall and winter, this is where they go."

Coaches are excited to see the sport grow in recent years, not just with high school students, but with younger grades as well.

"It's a sport that's growing. There's no doubt about it," Coutler said. "You're starting to see more of the colleges get programs in place now. It's absolutely growing from 3rd grade and up."

Earlier this year, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and the Buffalo Bills Foundation launched a middle school girls flag football initiative. It comes just four years after the organizations launched the initiative for high school girls.

"I think that down the road, and it may be a little while, but I think there will be a professional flag football league for ladies and I think the NFL is trying to do something like that right now," said Jim Andruszko, who was cheering on his granddaughter playing for Niagara Wheatfield.