Will Reid, a science teacher at Saint Mark’s High School in Wilmington, Delaware, stepped into a new role in 2024 when he agreed to lead the school’s newly formed girls flag football team.
The program was launched to keep pace with rival schools such as Padua Academy, Delaware Military Academy and Ursuline Academy, and the first interest meeting drew 45 girls eager to play.
Under Reid’s guidance the team posted a 4‑0‑1 record in its inaugural season, captured the 2024 championship and returned to the title game a year later, where they fell 13‑6 to DMA.
Reid stresses that the sport offers more than competition; he says the girls gain confidence, camaraderie and lessons that will serve them beyond the field.
A Legacy in the Making
The coach, who has spent 12 years in various coaching capacities, calls this experience the most rewarding of his career, a sentiment echoed by his assistants, Chris Widener and Rashaun Davis.
Earlier this month the Philadelphia Eagles recognized Reid as their High School Girls Flag Football Coach of the Week, a tribute that highlights the program’s rapid growth and sustainability.
The success has sparked interest across the region, with schools in the New Castle County area exploring similar initiatives, and the model is being watched as a blueprint for expanding girls’ sports opportunities.