A Historic First
The fall of 2026 marked a watershed moment for Wamego athletics when the school announced the creation of a girls' flag football team, the first of its kind in the community. Backed by the state's recent sanctioning of the sport, the initiative placed Wamego among a handful of districts in a 17‑county region embracing the new competition.
Unlike traditional programs with decades of history, the Red Raiders entered the season with only two seniors and a roster dominated by freshmen. This youthful composition gave the players a rare chance to shape every aspect of the team culture, from playbooks to locker‑room rituals.
Among the newcomers are Harper Fiehler and Harlow Wurtz, both of whom arrived with experience in volleyball, basketball and softball but had never handled a flag football field. Their eagerness to learn and natural athleticism have become a driving force behind the squad's rapid progress.
Coach Weston Moody, who also oversees the school's tackle football program, sees the venture as more than a side project. He describes the team as a laboratory for building an inclusive, growth‑focused environment where every participant can see a future in the sport.
The early challenges — securing equipment, arranging schedules and teaching the nuances of flag pulling — have largely been overcome, and the focus has shifted to making the program competitive. As the season unfolds, the current freshmen may soon become the veteran mentors who define what Wamego flag football stands for for years to come.