A historic moment unfolded at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on May 16, when the Ohio High School Athletic Association staged its first ever girls flag football state tournament, bringing together eight teams in a single‑day showcase of talent and competition.
Among the contenders, Nordonia entered as the fourth seed in the Cleveland Browns Division, yet they navigated a tough bracket, dispatching Hamilton Badin 13‑0 in the quarterfinals and Burton Berkshire 38‑20 in the semifinals before meeting Mount Notre Dame in the championship.
The game began with a dramatic interception that set up an early 14‑0 lead for Nordonia, but Mount Notre Dame rallied, scoring 20 unanswered points to seize the advantage in the second half. Nordonia’s offense, featuring Nyla Burns and Charlotte Naymik, clawed back, setting the stage for a final drive.
A Stormy Finale
With under a minute remaining, Ava McLendon caught a touchdown pass that put Nordonia ahead 20‑19, a play that would prove decisive. The crowd, drenched by a sudden downpour and momentarily halted by a lightning delay, erupted as the scoreboard reflected the narrow victory.
Hayden Emlinger and Kaylee Watson had contributed earlier scores for Mount Notre Dame, but it was the late heroics of McLendon, coupled with interceptions by Burns and Naymik, that defined the match. The tournament’s rain‑soaked atmosphere added a cinematic quality to a competition that showcased the growing popularity of flag football across the state.