NIAA sanctions flag football

Flag football will be officially sanctioned by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association starting in the 2016-17 season.

In the 2012-13 season, flag football started in Clark County and now there are 34 teams in the district playing the game. The board approved the sanction at the spring meeting.

According to NIAA Assistant Director Donnie Nelson, the sanction opens up flag football to high schools throughout Nevada and a state playoff, but he doubts the Northern schools will be participating.

“I really don’t think any Northern schools will be playing flag football,” Nelson said. “I think this will stay a regional sport like bowling is and skiing since this is a winter sport and it’s just too cold to play this sport up north.”

The sport is currently being played as a winter sport. Clark County School District Executive Athletic Director Ray Mathis said this has been about increasing girls’ participation numbers.

“It’s been a positive thing and a good thing for girls in Clark County,” he said.

It’s unknown if Pahrump or any other high schools in Nye County will be playing flag football anytime soon. In a Nevada Preps article on the same topic, Nye County School District Superintendent Dale Norton said a school was interested in forming a team, but he didn’t say which one. The superintendent was traveling and was unavailable for comment. Also, Pahrump Valley Athletic Director Ed Kirkwood was unavailable for comment due to the summer break.