Admin November 7, 2024
An Illinois playoff upset was the primary catalyst to another shift in the latest USA TODAY Sports Super 25 girls flag football rankings, which includes a new top five.
At the forefront of the movement is Newport Harbor (Newport Beach, Calif.), a team that has been on a consistent rise in the past few weeks and lands at No. 5, leapfrogging Guilford (Rockford, Ill.). The Southern California team trails the top squad in the state, Orange Lutheran (Calif.), with Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) ahead of the Lancers at No. 3 and No. 2.
Alabama power Central (Phenix City, Ala.) continues to hold the top spot in the Super 25, while another Yellowhammer State program reappears in the bottom half after a massive week.
Super 25 flag football selection process
In partnership with the NFL, the teams are determined by a USA TODAY Network selection committee of editors and writers in the participating states and the USA TODAY High School Sports staff.
The process considers factors ranging from last year’s results based on NFHS Network data, carryover into this season, and a primary focus on 2024 records and overall performance.
As the season moves into November, here is the latest USA TODAY Sports Super 25 girls flag football rankings:
(Records updated as of Nov. 6, 2024)
1. Central (Phenix City, Ala.)
Record: 15-0 | Previous Rank: 1
Alabama State Ranking: 1
2. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Record: 12-0 | Previous Rank: 2
Arizona State Ranking: 1
3. Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Record: 19-0 | Previous Rank: 4
Colorado State Ranking: 1
4. Orange Lutheran (Calif.)
Record: 22-2 | Previous Rank: 3
California State Ranking: 1
5. Newport Harbor (Newport Beach, Calif.)
Record: 25-2 | Previous Rank: 9
California State Ranking: 2
6. Guilford (Rockford, Ill.)
Record: 21-1 | Previous Rank: 5
Illinois State Ranking: 1
7. North Pole (Alaska)
Record: 12-1 | Previous Rank: 6
Alaska State Ranking: 1
8. Southeast Bulloch (Brooklet, Ga.)
Record: 9-0 | Previous Rank: 7
Georgia State Ranking: 1
9. Maine South (Park Ridge, Ill.)
Record: 24-3 | Previous Rank: 21
Illinois State Ranking: 2
10. Pope (Marietta, Ga.)
Record: 13-2 | Previous Rank: 11
Georgia State Ranking: 2
11. Perspectives Leadership (Chicago, Ill.)
Record: 21-1 | Previous Rank: 18
Illinois State Ranking: 3
12. Vestavia Hills (Ala.)
Record: 19-2 | Previous Rank: 12
Alabama State Ranking: 2
13. Mountain View (Mesa, Ariz.)
Record: 14-2 | Previous Rank: 9
Arizona State Ranking: 2
14. Ponderosa (Shingle Springs, Calif.)
Record: 22-0 | Previous Rank: 21
California State Ranking: 3
15. South Anchorage (Alaska)
Record: 18-2 | Previous Rank: 12
Alaska State Ranking: 2
16. Saint Joseph (Lakewood, Calif.)
Record: 21-1 | Previous Rank: 15
California State Ranking: 4
17. Marana (Tucson, Ariz.)
Record: 11-1 | Previous Rank: 16
Arizona State Ranking: 3
18. Taft (Chicago, Ill.)
Record: 23-4 | Previous Rank: NR
Illinois State Ranking: 4
19. Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.)
Record: 15-2 | Previous Rank: 17
Colorado State Ranking: 2
20. Canyon (Anaheim, Calif.)
Record: 18-3 | Previous Rank: NR
California State Ranking: 5
21. Prattville (Ala.)
Record: 13-2 | Previous Rank: 22
Alabama State Ranking: 3
22. Arvada West (Colo.)
Record: 16-3 | Previous Rank: 20
Colorado State Ranking: 3
23. Greenbrier (Evans, Ga.)
Record: 8-1 | Previous Rank: 24
Georgia State Ranking: 3
24. Millennium (Goodyear, Ariz.)
Record: 16-3 | Previous Rank: 25
Arizona State Ranking: 4
25. Wenonah (Birmingham, Ala.)
Record: 21-1 | Previous Rank: NR
Alabama State Ranking: 4
Super 25 watch list
26. Daphne (Ala.)
27. Crane Medical (Chicago, Ill.)
28. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif)
USA TODAY Network selection committee: Maxwell Donaldson, Reporter at Gadsden Times; Anna Snyder, Reporter at Tuscaloosa News; Will Cheney, CCJ Coastal South Region; Logan Stanley, Reporter at The Arizona Republic; Tommy Deas, CCJ Sports Director; Lauren Jennings, CCJ West Region; Dan Spears, CCJ Deputy Sports Strategist; Rick Suter, USA TODAY HSS.
Growing the game of flag football
The sport is expanding beyond the youth and high school level, with many colleges adding flag football. The most recent included a piece of history as Mount St. Mary’s became the first Division I school in the Northeastern United States to sponsor the women’s sport. As part of the 2025-26 season, flag football will be the Mountaineers’ 26th varsity sport.
“I’m excited to add this rapidly growing and accessible women’s sport to Mount St. Mary’s expansive slate of athletic opportunities for our students,” President Jerry Joyce, Ph.D, said in a statement. “Flag football not only further diversifies our athletic programs but also strengthens our connections with the regional community.”
“Today is a great day for Mount St. Mary’s University and its growing athletic department,” Director of Athletics Brad Davis added. “We have watched women’s flag football explode across Maryland and Pennsylvania, and we are very proud to provide a Division I home for high school flag football women’s student-athletes in our region. We look forward to being in on the ground floor for the sport at the collegiate level and will embrace our continued role as a leader and advocate for athletic participation.”