Saline Community Ed announced on Facebook and X on May 9 that Saline High School has joined the Michigan High School Girls Flag Football League for its second season. Sponsored by the Detroit Lions, this league is part of a pioneering initiative to expand opportunities for young women in high school sports.

Last year, the Detroit Lions piloted the Michigan Girls High School Flag Football League with four initial schools. The teams played three games each, with venues including Ford Field and the Lions’ Training Facility in Allen Park.

The league’s executive director, Chris Fritzsching, emphasized the importance of growing interest in girls’ flag football. “Getting girls into the game of football is a huge priority both for us and the NFL,” he said. He also highlighted the need to establish the sport as an interscholastic activity statewide.

This year, Saline High School will compete in the “All Grit” league, which includes Gabriel Richard, Brighton, Holly, Battle Creek, and St. Joseph high schools. The Hornets lost their first game to Holly High School on May 4, with a final score of 34-7. Their next match is set for May 12 against Gabriel Richard High School, to be played at home. They will wrap up their season at Ford Field, where they will face off against Brighton on May 19.

The league, organized into five groups (All Heart, All Fight, All Grit, One Pride, All Us), is supported by the Detroit Lions, Nike, and USA Football. While flag football for high school girls remains in its infancy in Michigan, the league aims to generate further interest and grow participation across the state. The Detroit Lions provided uniforms, and USA Football supplied the equipment to help develop the league.