Browns Girls High School Flag Football | Cleveland Browns - clevelandbrowns.com
How It Started
The Browns implementation of Girls High School Flag Football began in 2021 alongside Northeast Ohio Flag Football, and since have created the first Girls High School Flag Football division in Ohio. Together we have been working to elevate girls flag football to promote equality in sports offered at the high school level. Ultimately, the Browns are focused on creating a pathway for Girls High School Flag Football to become a sanctioned varsity sport under the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA).
Growth and Expansion
Coach of the Week
About Coach of the Week
The Cleveland Browns High School Flag Coach of the Week program returns for the 2026 Spring season for the second consecutive season. In its second year, the program will recognize 11 outstanding Head Coaches (one from each division) who exemplify leadership, sportsmanship, and a commitment to the growth of girls flag football. Each week, voting will be open from Friday at 9:00am through Monday at 9:00am,with winners announced every Tuesday. Selected coaches will be featured on ClevelandBrowns.com, as well as on the @BrownsGiveBack and @BrownsYouthFB social media channels. Each Coach of the Week will also receive $1,000 in funding from the Cleveland Browns to support and grow their girls high school flag football program.
How the Program Works
Each Friday, voting opens to athletes, coaches, school administrators, and community members. Voters may nominate a Head Coach from each division and share why that coach deserves to be recognized as the Cleveland Browns Flag Coach of the Week. The coach who receives the most votes in their division will be selected as that week's Coach of the Week.
Coaches should be nominated based on the following criteria:
- Led a team through an impactful moment (key wins, comebacks, or overcoming challenges)
- Actively supports athlete education and personal development
- Models respect and sportsmanship in all interactions with officials
- Engages in youth football and positively impacts the broader community
- Builds strong player relationships while teaching life skills and core values
- Prioritizes athlete safety and a positive overall experience
- Fosters an encouraging, inclusive, and mentorship‑driven team environment
Voting Cadence & Divisions Up For Vote
Week 1
- Friday, March 20: Columbus Conference – Brown Division
- Winner: Izzi Palmisano - Newark
- Sunday, March 22: Columbus Conference – Orange Division
- Winner: Allie Elifritz - Worthington Christian
Week 2
- Friday, March 27: Western Conference – Brown Division
- Winner: Heather O'Neil - Rhodes
- Sunday, March 29: Western Conference – Orange Division
- Winner: Mitchell Sweet - Sandusky
Week 3
- Friday, April 10: Western Conference – White Division
- Winner: Jordan Pickens - VASJ
- Sunday, April 12: Southern Conference – Brown Division
- Winner: Joe Albright - Canton McKinley
Week 4
- Friday, April 17: Southern Conference – Orange Division
- Winner: Michelle Wright - Cuyahoga Falls (April 17)
- Sunday, April 19: Southern Conference – White Division
- Winner: John Ryan - Campbell Memorial (April 19)
Week 5
- Friday, April 24:Eastern Conference – Brown Division
- Winner: Ashley Shelatz - Warrensville Hts. (April 24)
- Sunday, April 26: Eastern Conference – Orange Division
- Winner: Bob Chessman - Mentor (April 26)
Week 6 – Voting Opens, May 1-4
- Friday, May 1: Eastern Conference – White Division
Want to Join?
How to Form a Team
1.Notify Your High School Athletic Director
We will communicate with the athletic director to schedule an onboarding call to review the program, discuss camps, clinics, season schedule, and tournament play, share available resources and outline next steps for participation.
2. Secure Board Approval
Once your school receives board approval as a club sport, the athletic director will complete the final onboarding document to confirm the team's participation.
Registration has closed for the 2026 Spring Season.
Items that Schools Receive When They Join
✓ Up to 25 Nike uniforms
✓ USA Football Equipment Toolkit
✓ Invitations to year-round events, camps and clinics
✓ Opportunity to receive tickets to preseason games
