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By Lindsey Young
The Vikings are continuing to invest in the growth of flag football.
The team announced Tuesday the launch of Minnesota's first statewide high school girls flag football league; 51 high schools are set to compete this spring.
Andrea Schmidt, Roseville High School Activities Director and Associate Principal, called the announcement "game changing" for young women.
"Football has long been considered 'America's sport,' yet girls and women have historically faced barriers to participating at every level," Schmidt said "The Vikings commitment to breaking down these barriers sends a powerful message that football belongs to everyone. Providing access to the sport — whether as players, coaches or future professionals in the industry — creates pathways for young women to thrive in ways that were previously unavailable."
The launch of the girls flag league comes less than a year after the Vikings piloted a high school program in 2024, successfully completing a 12-game regular season with four teams before hosting the state championship game at TCO Stadium last summer.
As part of the 2025 partnership, the Vikings will contribute $600,000 to support the league and participating schools.
Proctor High School's Matt Solberg expressed gratitude to the Vikings for enabling the outstate school's participation.
"Without having that financial backing, this would be an impossibility," said Solberg.
Proctor has made the girls flag league free of charge to any female athlete who currently plays another sport, as well.
"When I first got the email about this opportunity, I was teaching our precalculus class and asked a couple of the kids, 'Hey, if we do this, are you interested?' And they were all-in," said Solberg, who also coaches Proctor's girls basketball team. "So that afternoon when I got down to the gym before basketball practice, my basketball girls were all throwing the football around the gym, trying to get ready for flag. Suddenly the pre-practice time where they're usually shooting around or talking to each other, now they're throwing a football around, trying to get ready for flag."
Vikings Vice President of Social Impact Brett Taber noted the exciting time in Minnesota for girls and women's flag football, including the recently announced collegiate league.
"Since testing the pilot league in 2024, interest in girls flag football has increased dramatically at the high school level, and to see such a high number of schools participate this year is a tremendous sign for future growth," Taber said. "We take pride in our role of creating opportunities and empowering young women to compete in this sport."
Dave Williams serves as Elk River's Quarterback Club President and the varsity boys football cornerbacks coach, last year helping lead the team to a Class 5A Minnesota High School Football Championship.
This year, he's adding Elk River Flag Football Executive Director to his title.
"We believe that bringing the high school girls flag football program into our community will add to Elk River's football culture," Williams said. "It will not only promote and strengthen the game of football in our community but also promote equality, expand opportunities and empower female athletes to excel in the game of football.
"The relationship between Elk River & the Minnesota Vikings, particularly in the area of flag football and their efforts to engage young women, is something truly special," Williams added. "We believe the collaboration is creating inclusive opportunities while breaking down barriers and providing a platform for future role models. This collaboration invests in the future of football and will have a long-term impact on the sport."
The Minnesota High School Girls Flag Football League will kick off in April, when teams will compete in doubleheaders throughout the regular season. Select schools will host postseason matchups that will culminate Monday, June 9 with a state championship tournament held at TCO Stadium. See below for the full schedule:
- Sunday, April 27 – Week 1
- Sunday, May 4 – Week 2
- Sunday, May 11 – Week 3
- Sunday, May 18 – Week 4
- Sunday, June 1 – Playoffs
- Monday, June 9 – State Championship at TCO Stadium
To mark the league's launch, the Vikings will host a media day in the TCO Performance Center Indoor Practice Facility on Sunday, March 30. Players and coaches from nearly 40 schools will participate in the unique event.
Visit vikings.com/girlsflag for more updates.