Photo taken by Ashley Ingebrigsten
South Salem High School’s girls flag football is returning for its third consecutive season in March. Last year, South Salem’s team won the state title in an undefeated season.
“It started with just an idea of how can I improve my coaching in boys’ football?” DJ Correa said, program head coach/founder and offensive coordinator for the boy’s football team.
Correa led South Salem High School’s boys’ football team to a successful district championship in the 2023 season.
“I thought of starting a flag football team just to teach it, to get more females active in football. Then to work on my own coaching styles and philosophies and how to interact with different athletes.” Correa said.
Flag football, a seven-on-seven game played on an 80-yard field, has become increasingly popular at South Salem High and the program has grown significantly. Last season, they debuted two different teams. South took the state title after winning the eight-team flag championship game at Nike’s campus in Beaverton.
“We spent so much time and energy practicing, pushing each other to get better and better months before the season started and I believe that was a big part in last year’s success.” Lily Squires ‘25, a center for South said.
The Start of a New Sport
The sport debuted in Oregon schools during spring 2023 with eight teams, including South Salem High’s. Flag football was classified as an emerging activity by the OSAA in October 2024. Boys’ volleyball is the only other sport classified as an OSAA emerging activity.
When this happens to a sport, it enters a period of two years. If the program reaches 50 schools by the end of this period, it will be eligible to be officially sanctioned by the OSAA. Last spring, 32 teams played.
This year, South Salem High hopes to bring in more fans and community, as well as to grow the elementary and middle school youth programs. South’s team goals are to continue to beat Sprague and win the state championship every year.
“My favorite thing about playing this sport and being a part of this team is definitely the people,” Squires said.
Apart from the sport itself, the players have built a foundation of support and kindness for future players to come.
“They make going to practices, whether it is freezing cold or burning hot, so much fun. We all have each other’s backs and want to see each other succeed.” Squires said.
Those interested in participating can fill out the registration using the Girls Flag Football link under Athletics & Club Registration Online on South Salem High’s website. A paid fee and up-to-date physical are required for registration. The program hosts open fields, which are practices available to anyone interested, up until March 5. Information including dates and times are posted through Instagram, @she_scores_tds. Tryouts for the upcoming season begin on March 5.
Support women’s sports, come out, watch us, watch us play, we love all the support we get, all the support we have gotten so far but we cannot do this by ourselves,
Correa said.
