The Ladies of Steel, a youth flag football squad based in Pittsburgh, captured the Pittsburgh Steelers Regional championship earlier this month, earning a berth in the NFL Flag Football Nationals that will take place from July 23 to 26 in Westfield, Indiana.
A Rising Force in National Competition
Coached by Dennis Wolford, who also leads other local teams, the squad draws talent from a dozen schools across the WPIAL and City League, including Fox Chapel, Allderdice, North Hills, Seton LaSalle, Mars and DuBois. Freshman Josie Franchino of Fox Chapel, already gaining notice on a nationally ranked club team, is among the emerging faces of the roster.
The team’s early start in the fall of 2022 meant they faced older opponents to accelerate their learning curve. Since then, they have built chemistry and confidence, highlighted by Emmy Schall’s MVP performance at the regional tournament; the quarterback logged 2,872 passing yards and 40 touchdowns this season. Dior Ellis of Seton LaSalle added 16 touchdowns in her first six games, while other standouts such as Gia Ginocchi and Reese Glass have contributed to a dynamic offense.
With six freshmen or younger players on the roster, the Ladies of Steel are a young but determined group. Their mission is clear: to bring the national title home and cement their status as a competitive force in the rapidly expanding sport.
The national tournament will feature teams representing all 32 NFL regions, making the competition among the most extensive in the sport’s history. For the Ladies of Steel, the event is not just a chance to test themselves against the best but also an opportunity to showcase the growth of women’s flag football across the country.