Elementary school girls hold their own against the boys in flag football

Football may be a men’s game at the professional level, but not at the Concord Parks and Recreation level. Earlier this year, the ever-popular NFL Flag Football program put on by the Parks and Rec department featured an all-girls team, and the young ladies held their own. The team featured nine girls – eight from Concord and one from Bow – in grades 4 through 6 who competed against boys’ teams throughout the flag football season. The girls, coached by Christa McAuliffe School teacher Mike Pelletier, went an impressive 5-2 in their inaugural season. By comparison, the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals are a combined 0-15 this year – and those guys get paid, and paid very well, at that. Maybe those teams could learn a thing or two from this all-girls team of elementary school kids, who felt good about their season.

“We had a great team of girls,” said Chandler Curtis. “I think we played well against the boys.” Gracen Arndt added, “It’s fun to learn how to play a new sport and show the boys how it’s done.” Maddie Short loved being on a team, saying “My favorite part of the flag football season was the feeling of playing the game. I’ve never actually been on a football team. It’s always been playing football at recess or passing at home. So getting to play on a real all-girls flag football team was really fun.”

While the season is now over, the girls look forward to getting back out on the field next year.