JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Last month, flag football was added to the Olympics as a sport that men and women compete in.
As you know, flag football in the Jacksonville area is hot.
Since the news dropped, new dreams sprouted.
"The first year we had roughly 38 girls. Last year, we had roughly 62," said Michael Brown the Head Flag Football coach at Mandarin since 2021.
Darielle Bradley has been with the team since 10th grade.
"I play running back, I play rusher. I could play anywhere coach puts me and I'll execute," said Bradley.
The future is flag football.
"I was actually excited. I want to go to college and I want my career to play flag football and I want career to be a Physical Therapist," Bradley added.
There are more than 30 girls flag football programs in our area including Clay and Baker county. But there could always be more.
The program at Mandarin has been around since 2001.
The current team said the girls that came before them set the foundation of what a girls flag football team should be.
"The family that you build from it. The team, the coaches. We're just one big family," said Jolea Lampton, linebacker and center for the team.
It's always more than football.
"I just notice how easy it is to fit in. Especially because it was my first year last year. They made me feel very comfortable," said Alexis Pabon, quarterback for the team.
FHSAA Flag Football kicks off in February.
The Mandarin girls team play their first district game on the 22nd, against Sandalwood.