The final whistles have blown for two of central Ohio's top flag football teams, as Fairbanks and Westerville North saw their championship dreams end on May 11 at the Cleveland Browns regional tournament, held at the University of Akron.
Fairbanks, the fourth seed and a powerhouse all season, fell 39-14 to Madison in a game that started with promise. The Lady Panthers (10-1) tied things up early at 6-6 when senior Hannah Boehm hauled in a tipped pass from classmate Jolie Porter for a touchdown—a classic "tip drill" moment that had fans on their feet. But Madison, the 13th seed and eventual tournament champion, responded with 28 unanswered points, showcasing the depth and resilience that would carry them all the way to the title.
Westerville North (9-1), seeded 11th among the 11 division champions, faced a tough Grafton Midview squad and lost 24-0. It was a rare off-night for a defense that had been stingy all season—allowing a combined 38 points in their first two games but giving up more than eight points just once since then. Midview, also undefeated entering the game, rode that momentum to the final before falling 34-0 to Madison.
The top four teams from the regional—Madison, Midview, Burton Berkshire, and Macedonia Nordonia—advanced to the state tournament on May 16 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. Joining them from the Cincinnati Bengals league are Mount Notre Dame, Princeton, St. Ursula, and defending champion Hamilton Badin, who punched their tickets at Paycor Stadium the same day.
This year marks a historic milestone: the first time the Ohio High School Athletic Association has sponsored the flag football state tournament. The growth of the sport has been explosive, with central Ohio fielding 15 teams this spring—up from just three a season ago. The 16-team regional field included 11 division champions from the Browns league, which covers central and northeast Ohio, plus five wild-card teams.
While Fairbanks and Westerville North's seasons ended earlier than hoped, their journeys highlight the rapid rise of girls flag football in Ohio. With more teams, more talent, and a state tournament now officially on the calendar, the future of the sport has never looked brighter.