History was made on the field at North Buncombe High School as student-athletes from across Western North Carolina took part in the inaugural game marking the first season of NCHSAA-sanctioned women’s flag football.

The North Buncombe Lady Hawks welcomed the Brevard Blue Devils and Erwin High School Warriors to the North Buncombe stadium for a matchup that marked an important milestone for girls athletics in Buncombe County.

This season marks the first time women's flag football is being played as an NCHSAA-sanctioned championship sport in North Carolina. In May, the NCHSAA Board of Directors officially approved women’s flag football as a championship sport for the 2026-27 school year, opening the door for high school girls across the state to compete under NCHSAA governance.

These athletes are helping build something new in Buncombe County. As they learn the game, compete with their teammates and represent their schools, they are also setting the stage for the many girls who will play flag football in the years ahead.

The fast-paced sport emphasizes teamwork, communication, strategy and athleticism, giving students another opportunity to compete, build relationships and find a sense of belonging through athletics.

As the Lady Hawks, Blue Devils and Warriors took the field, they became part of the beginning of a new chapter in high school athletics.

We are proud of these student-athletes for stepping onto the field, representing their schools and making history. Their determination and willingness to be pioneers in a new sport will help pave the way for the girls who follow them.