PIAA flag football is here. Cranberry-area teams are at the forefront of ‘exciting’ new era
Pennsylvania high school girls flag football is taking another step forward this spring.
The season officially began Friday. This is the first year the sport is officially sanctioned by the PIAA. While there will be no state tournament this spring, there will be a WPIAL tournament.
The first PIAA tourney takes place in 2027.
“It’s a new game, and we’re all getting adapted to it,” Mars coach Johnathan Emhardt said. “Teams are helping each other in that regard. We’re learning as we go. It’s exciting.”
Monday marked the first game between two Butler County teams when North Catholic beat Mars in a mix of rain, hail and snow. Otherwise known as football weather.
“I’m feeling very pumped,” Mars sophomore running back Gemma Fratto said. “I love being a part of something that’s about to be big, and I’m really motivated for us to win and have fun.”
Added another sophomore back, Miley Gratton: “I think this is going to be a great season, and I think this is just the beginning of a great era.”
Here’s what to know about the inaugural season:
Seneca Valley, Mars and North Catholic have teams.
Seneca Valley is entering its third year of flag football. The Raiders were 5-4-1 in their debut season, 8-4 last year. They will play a 15-game schedule and have a 42-player roster, cut down from 50 who tried out.
Mars is beginning its second season after playing around .500 in 2025. The Planets have a 30-player roster and will be playing a 14-game schedule.
There are 56 teams in the WPIAL, divided into four geographical sections. School enrollment did not play a factor in determining sections this year. Mars, North Catholic and Seneca Valley are in Section I with Deer Lakes, Ellis School, Fox Chapel, Hampton, Kiski Area, Nazareth Prep, Neighborhood Academy, New Castle, North Allegheny, North Hills, Pine-Richland and Shaler.
All of the section teams will play each other. The regular season will end in late April.
Games consist of 7-on-7 with no physical contact. The field is 80 yards in length, 40 in width. The defensive line must line up 7 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. There are no kickoffs as the first possession — and possessions following touchdowns — begins at the 14-yard line.
First downs are awarded when a team reaches the 20- and 40-yard lines on each side of the field. There are no field goals, but there are one- or two-point conversion options after touchdowns, based on distance of ball placement from the goal line. Any of the seven offensive players may handle the football.
There are no helmets or shoulder pads. Uniforms will be similar to soccer, with the belts consisting of a flag on each hip and the tailbone.
“Speed is a big part of this game,” Seneca Valley coach Chris Eden said. “We’ll be running an up-tempo, spread type of offense.”
Games will be 12-minute quarters — like high school football — and are expected to be completed in 90 minutes to two hours.
Seneca Valley plays its home games at NexTier Stadium. Junior varsity plays at 5:45 p.m., varsity at 7:15 p.m.
Mars plays its home games on the practice field across from the Mars Athletic Complex. Planet home games will be played right after school.
North plays its home games at J.C. Stone Field, same as the football team.
Butler Eagle photographer Matthew Brown contributed to this story.
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Mars' Gemma Fratto (24) loses her flag to North Catholic's Katelyn Phillips (20) in a season-opening girls flag football game Monday, March 16, 2026, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Simone Sharpless (42) narrowly evades losing her flag in a season-opening girls flag football game against Mars on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Mackenzie Powell (5) runs the ball in a season-opening girls flag football game against North Catholic Monday, March 16, 2026, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Miley Gratton (16) runs the ball in a season-opening girls flag football game against North Catholic on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Simone Sharpless (42) runs the ball in a season-opening girls flag football game against Mars on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Gemma Fratto (24) runs the ball as North Cathlic's Ally Fabian (5) and Naomi Wentz (3) chase her in a season-opening girls flag football game on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Miley Gratton (16) passes the ball to Mackenzie Powell (5) in a season-opening girls flag football game against North Catholic on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Mia Gratton (25) takes shelter from the rain under a tarp in a season-opening girls flag football game against North Catholic on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Gabby Valentine (14) looks to pass the ball in a season-opening girls flag football game against Mars on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Miley Gratton (16) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in a season-opening girls flag football game against North Catholic on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Gabby Valentine (14) hands the ball to Simone Sharpless (42) in a season-opening girls flag football game against Mars on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's (14) Gabby Valentine hands the ball off to Lizzie Fabian (88) in a season-opening girls flag football game against Mars on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Lizzie Fabian (88) loses her flag in a season-opening girls flag football game against Mars on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Mars High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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