The WPIAL officially sanctioned girls flag football as a sponsored sport this spring for the first time, with 54 teams competing across four sections and Shaler emerging as champion with a 34-0 victory over Plum in the title game.
Bethel Park's Kenley Crawford had a standout junior season, earning Section 3 Offensive Player of the Year honors after recording 98 receptions for 1,040 yards, 535 rushing yards, nine interceptions, and two defensive sacks while captaining the Black Hawks to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth. Crawford's coach, Nicki Hipkins, praised her as "a leader on and off the field" who is "always smiling and willing to take on any position."
Over the summer, she was named the girls flag football Player of the Year in the Observer-Reporter's 2026 Best of Sports High School All-Stars special edition. Click here for the full pull-out.