SPORTS WRAP
Spring football
Are you ready for (spring) football?
NRHEG High School is adding girls flag football to its spring offerings. “Our girls are super excited to play,” proclaims coach and Panthers Activities Director Dan Stork. “This is a rapidly growing sport that is going to be taking center stage at the 2028 Summer Olympics.”
The league is organized through the Minnesota Vikings and held on Sundays to avoid interference with other sports. “I strongly encouraged girls that were already out for a spring sport to continue that sport,” Stork indicated.
He is familiar with flag football through his cousin’s daughter, who plays in Texas and was a member of Team USA. “Following her career and visiting with my cousin sparked my interest and excitement to get this started at NRHEG.”
The Panthers will have about a 20-player roster to field a varsity and junior varsity. Teams have five players on the field at a time: a quarterback, three receivers and a center who can become a receiver.
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown had a program last year and lent a helping hand, leading to a grant from the Vikings to cover basic equipment, uniforms, cost for officials and transportation.
The Panthers play four double-header Sundays: April 26 at Fairmont, May 3 at home against Austin and WEM, May 10 at Lakeville South and May 17 at Austin. All start at 4 p.m.
Senior Chloe Stork told Owatonna Live, “A lot of the girls that were interested in it. We’re a really tight friend group and we’re really close to my dad. He was always our youth coach growing up (in different sports). So, we’re kind of excited to have one last season our senior year to be with him and play football.”
The league has doubled in size from last year, going from 50 teams to over 100. WEM, Rochester Mayo and Pine Island are returning squads. New southern Minnesota teams include Austin, Houston, Northfield, Rochester Century, Rushford-Peterson and St. Charles.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule
Thursday, April 9:
OHS softball vs. Austin, 5 p.m.
Friday, April 10:
OHS softball vs. Brainerd, 5 p.m.
Monday, April 13:
OHS girls lacrosse vs. Lakeville South, 7:15 p.m.