Flag football a rising sport in area high schools
The North Catholic High School flag football team warms up during practice on Thursday, March 19. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Flag football is now an official PIAA sport, even though some high schools in Butler County have been training teams for the game for years already.
Flag football teams from Seneca Valley and Mars Area school districts faced off against one another in a season-opening girls flag football game Monday, March 16, at Mars High School. North Catholic High School’s flag football team is also in the midst of its season.
Tim Aguglia, head coach of North Catholic’s
North Catholic flag football head coach Tim Aguglia, right, discusses plays with the team during flag football practice on Thursday, March 19. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
North Catholic flag football assistant coach Chris Rizzo discusses offensive plays with the team during flag football practice on Thursday, March 19. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
North Catholic freshman Teresa Ravotti runs drills during flag football practice on Thursday, March 19. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
North Catholic senior Lizzie Fabian runs the ball in a scrimmage during flag football practice on Thursday, March 19. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
North Catholic freshman Alma Arroyo Martinez works on drills during flag football practice on Thursday, March 19. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School sophomore Jenna Berg practices passing the ball during a flag football practice at Ryan Gloyer Middle School on Tuesday, March 24. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley flag football coach Chris Eden speaks with players during flag football practice at Ryan Gloyer Middle School on Tuesday, March 24. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
The Seneca Valley flag football team warm up during flag football practice at Ryan Gloyer Middle School on Tuesday, March 24. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
The Seneca Valley flag football team huddle before flag football practice at Ryan Gloyer Middle School on Tuesday, March 24. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School junior Elliot Gawne warms up during flag football practice at Ryan Gloyer Middle School on Tuesday, March 24. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School senior Abbi Speicher passes the ball during a scrimmage as part of flag football practice at Ryan Gloyer Middle School on Tuesday, March 24. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
North Catholic's Gabby Valentine hands the ball to Simone Sharpless in a season-opening girls flag football game against Mars on Monday, March 16, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
North Catholic's Gabby Valentine looks to pass the ball in a season-opening girls flag football game against Mars on Monday, March 16, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
North Catholic's Gabby Valentine hands the ball off to Lizzie Fabian in a season-opening girls flag football game against Mars on Monday, March 16, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Gemma Fratto runs the ball as North Catholic players, from left, Ally Fabian and Naomi Wentz chase her in a season-opening girls flag football game on Monday, March 16, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Mackenzie Powell runs the ball in a season-opening girls flag football game against North Catholic Monday, March 16, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Gemma Fratto loses her flag to North Catholic's Katelyn Phillips in a season-opening girls flag football game Monday, March 16, 2026, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
