CANTON, Ohio — The growth of girls high school flag football will take another step next week with a national audience, when Kirtland and Lake Catholic play an exhibition at halftime of the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars will begin the NFL’s preseason in the league’s annual opener during the weekend of this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremonies, which take place Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 4-7.
The Hall of Fame Game begins the festivities with an 8 p.m. kickoff Thursday.
“There’s going to be 15,000 to 20,000 people there,” said Kirtland coach Tiger LaVerde, who has coached two daughters in flag football. “The Browns are setting it up, getting new uniforms for both teams. The girls get to keep the jerseys. It’s really cool.”
The Northeast Ohio Flag Football League wrapped up its second year in May with championships at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns organized next week’s exhibition with the NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame through their Youth Football program. Organizer Hannah Lee said the uniforms next week will be custom Browns jerseys for the players and added the Browns have expansion plans for next year’s spring league.
They also are working on a jamboree this fall while considering student-athletes’ involvements in other sports. For example, LaVerde’s daughters play three additional sports, including soccer in the fall.
This spring’s championships at FirstEnergy Stadium drew nine area teams and more than 125 girls.
Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com).