First Ladies: Greenville County Schools Hosts Pilot Flag Football Season

Mauldin High’s quarterback checked into a play, found a receiver streaking past the defense, and fired a high pass that the much taller receiver plucked out of the air, putting the ball away and racing toward the end zone.

She was never touched.

And yes, you read that right.

Mauldin’s lower field was overrun with football players on a recent Saturday, girls who were participating in Greenville County Schools’ pilot program that instituted flag football for schools in the county. The effort was spearheaded by County Athletic Director Darryl Nance.

“This is essentially something Coach Nance has been after for the last several years,” Mauldin AD Jim Maciejewski said. “There’s been time spent drumming up interest and figuring out a way to make it work. It’s a fast-growing opportunity for girls around the country. Our case took a little bit longer, and was more guided.”

Interest was immediately high at Mauldin. 

“We had 60 come out,” Maciejewski said. “We put the form out on our socials, sent it out, and 67 girls filled out the form. I think we have about 50 still out. We were shocked. We were really pleasantly surprised by the number of girls who wanted to play.”

Mauldin coach John Paxton said the girls who came out are passionate and athletic.

“We’ve got volleyball players, basketball players, girls who run track, and some girls who are having their first athletic experiences coming out,” he said. “Overall, I’ve been super impressed with them. They’re committed, and they’re serious. They take it to heart when they lose, and they celebrate when they win.”

Mauldin’s roster includes three-time state championship wrestler Bianca Connell. This is just one more step in her journey in athletics.

“I played actual football my whole life until freshman year,” she explained. “Flag football is just a way to kind of give me a little bit of football. It’s still all the concepts of football.”

While the other girls were learning some basics, Connell was having to un-learn a few things, particularly how to avoid the contact she loved in football.

“It’s hard,” she laughed. “I can’t play defense because I’ll end up tackling somebody.”

Layton Wright, another former football player and a huge fan of the game, also enjoyed the season.

“I’ve been playing since I was younger,” she said. “I did play actual football too, and I grew up in a football household. I’m enjoying this a lot. It’s been unique, because people from different sports are all coming together to play one sport.”

The games are fast-paced. There’s no blocking and no contact, and plays come in rapid-fire succession in the 7-on-7 format. Run plays are allowed, pass patterns are crucial, and QBs and receivers all have to be on the same page.

There’s also the chance to rush the passer. That’s where a quick, athletic player can really make a difference. Somebody like Mauldin’s Joan Upthegrove. On championship Saturday, she was a near-constant disruptive presence in opponents’ backfields.

Upthegrove plays basketball for the Mavericks, but she really shines on the track. There, she runs the 100, 200, 400 and is on the 4×400 and 4×100 relay teams. And she’s thinking of trying hurdles. During flag season, though, her main job seemed to be getting after the girl throwing the football.

“Speed helps,” she said. “And I do enjoy it. The games are very fun. I really like being active, and this seemed like something else interesting for me to do.”

There’s also been a lot to learn, for everybody. 

“That first game, nobody knew what it would look like,” Paxton said. “It’s fast-paced. There’s no huddling. You just trust in your QB to call the right play and in your defense to get the right set up.”

And, at the end of the day, athletes make plays. Take Mauldin safety Jayda Davis, another basketball player.

“Really, when I was younger, I used to play football with my brother and his friends,” she said. “I just wanted to try this. I play safety, and it clicked for me I think the second game, when I could see the ball coming toward me, I knew I needed to go for it. Might as well.”

Maciejewski said those instincts, combined with the players’ talents, is something that was quickly evident.

“They’re extremely talented and athletic,” he said. “That’s one of the first things that caught my eye. My experience in flag football is what I saw when I taught PE. This is a little different. As far as the competitiveness, even judging by parents, it’s ultra competitive. It’s really cool to see that they want to win and want to do well.”

Paxton agrees.

“They’re having fun,” he said. “I had 20-plus out at a 6:45 morning practice. I think this is a great thing that Greenville County decided to do.”