The Road to Canton
The inaugural Ohio girls flag football state championship will take place on May 16 at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, bringing together eight high school teams from across the state for the first time.
Four of those squads hail from the Cincinnati area — Badin, St. Ursula, Princeton and Mount Notre Dame — each having fought through regional tournaments to earn a spot on the national stage.
Badin arrives as the reigning champion, hoping to add another title to its résumé, with key contributors such as Bella Heile and Addi Marshall driving the offense.
St. Ursula’s surprising ascent was powered by senior standout Penelope Bolinger, whose clutch plays helped the team upset higher‑seeded opponents and secure a quarterfinal berth.
Princeton, in its debut season, has made a splash thanks to freshman forward Blake Sakach, whose dynamic performances have kept the team competitive against established programs.
Mount Notre Dame, after a lone loss earlier in the year, has rallied around senior leader Yaya Parrish, aiming to translate that momentum into a strong showing against Madison in the opening round.
The quarterfinal matchups are set: Badin will meet Nordonia, St. Ursula will face Berkshire, Princeton will take on Midview, and Mount Notre Dame will square off against Madison, after which the semifinals and final will decide the champion.