Madison Bsales is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Arizona Lutheran Academy for AZPreps365.com

After a successful inaugural season, Arizona Lutheran Academy’s flag football program is gaining momentum, but expansion to a junior varsity team remains uncertain. 

As interest in the sport grows, school administrators and coaches are now evaluating whether this interest is enough to support another level of competition while maintaining long-term sustainability. 

Arizona Lutheran launched its first girls' flag football team in 2025, marking the first program of its kind in the school's 47-year history. The addition reflects a broader trend across the country, as Arizona is one of 13 states that have officially sanctioned girls' flag football. Participation in the sport has increased 63% since 2019, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations and ALAcoyotes.org.

“After the success our team had in its inaugural season, there is a lot of excitement for next year,” said head coach Jon Romsdahl. “I'd say there is definitely increased interest among the girls at our school in joining the flag football program, but our enrollment numbers don't justify adding a JV program at this time. We are at that in-between stage right now … too many girls to have all on one varsity team, but not quite enough players to have solid rosters at both a JV and varsity level.”

The team entered its first season with a full 12-game schedule, a milestone that signaled strong initial support and commitment from the school and its athletes. That success has helped build momentum heading into the program's second year.

Athletic director David Peter said the team has already established a culture that is attracting more student-athletes toward the sport.

“The interest is surging,” said Peter. “A culture has been built where the girls are having fun together, are genuinely excited to compete, and that energy is contagious. A positive culture combined with success on the field naturally draws more students in, so we are currently tracking our growth to ensure that when we launch a JV team, it has the long-term support it needs to thrive.” 

That growth, however, must be balanced with careful planning. Peter said the school is tracking participation trends to ensure any expansion is sustainable rather than temporary. 

That emphasis on sustainability is central to the school’s decision-making. While enthusiasm around the sport continues to grow, administrators say expansion must be backed by consistent participation numbers and the ability to maintain competitive rosters at both the junior and varsity levels. 

For players, the addition of the JV team could provide significant development benefits. 

Junior student-athlete Jocelyn Grams said she had to quickly adjust to the varsity level after joining the team late in the season. While she was able to contribute through extra preparation, a JV team would have provided a more gradual transition. 

“Looking back, I think that if we had a JV flag football team, I would have had more time to adapt to the sport, and there would be a feeling of ease and comfort if I had been on a JV team before varsity,” said Grams.

Grams said she spent time outside of practice studying plays and working on footwork to catch up but added that a developmental level would have made that process less stressful.

“A JV team could have given me a better understanding and more time to really hone in on certain skills,” said Grams. 

Coaches say that kind of development is one of the strongest arguments for expanding the program. 

“For continued success at the varsity level, it is extremely helpful for players to have previous experience with the game,” said Romsdahl. “The more practice and repetitions athletes get before facing varsity competition, the more confident they can be in their abilities. At the JV level, players can learn the basics of the game and develop skills needed for success at the next level. Having a JV program would only add positive benefits to our entire flag football program.” 

A junior varsity team could also make the sport more accessible to younger or less experienced athletes. 

Junior student-athletes Arabella Priebe said starting at the varsity level can be intimidating for new players. 

“A JV team would have helped me with my development, especially my first and second years,” said Priebe. “Playing on the varsity level pushed me to play stronger and faster. I think a JV program would have gotten a lot more girls interested in playing the sport, because a varsity team intimidates first-year students.”

While the benefits are clear, the challenges of expansion extend beyond player development. 

Assistant coach Aubrey Hartzell said the program exceeded expectations in its first season, but it may be too early to determine whether a JV team is sustainable. 

“With this year being the first year with the flag football program, we weren’t sure how much interest we would get,” said Hartzell. “The turnout was pretty great for our expectations for the first season, and I’m very excited to see how it grows next year. I think after next season, this question would be better answered, but I could definitely see a rise in popularity that would eventually lead to a JV team.”

One of the biggest concerns, Hartzell said, is maintaining participation in a small-school environment where multiple sports compete for athletes.

“The biggest obstacle I could see is getting numbers,” said Hartzell. “Being a small school, flag football has to compete with cross country, cheer, and volleyball. The girls have quite a few options to choose from as a fall sport, and flag football may not be the first sport they choose to try out for.”

Despite those challenges, Hartzell believes a JV team would strengthen the program in the long run.

“I think having a JV team could have a great positive impact on players and the program overall,” she said. “Being able to play on a slightly less competitive level is a great way to develop the skills and confidence for a varsity level of play, and it would give more girls the opportunity to compete in this sport that they may not have had the chance to try before.”

Staffing is another major factor in the decision. Romsdahl said adding a JV team would require finding a qualified coach who can both teach the fundamentals and foster a positive team environment. 

“Finding a qualified, knowledgeable coach that can develop inexperienced players, while at the same time creating a fun, positive atmosphere at the JV level, is vital for the future success of the entire program,” said Romsdahl.

At a school like ALA, that role extends beyond the field.

“In a Christian school environment, a coach is more than just a strategist—they are a mentor,” said Peter. “The challenge is finding the right people who align with our mission and can provide high-quality instruction to our athletes.”

Even with those obstacles, administrators see long-term value in building a JV level when the time is right. 

“A JV team is about giving younger athletes the stage to gain confidence and live-game experience that they just can’t get from the sidelines,” said Peter. “By adding this level, we aren't just adding more games; we’re building a sustainable pipeline that ensures our Varsity program remains competitive for years to come.”

For now, the decision remains on hold as the school continues to monitor participation and growth.