Lady Dragons set to make flag football debut at Dragon Stadium
One of the nation’s fastest-growing sports is coming to Clinton High School as girls flag football makes its official debut with a spring game on May 9 at Dragon Stadium.
The sport has already gained traction in Anderson County, where Anderson County High School fielded a team late last fall and enjoyed success under Coach Jonathan Cotton.
Clinton’s Lady Dragons will play their inaugural game against the Knoxville Hellcats, with kickoff at 6 p.m.
Brittany Siler, who serves as a campus security resource officer at Clinton Middle School and an assistant girls basketball coach under Jason Love, will lead the Lady Dragons in their new venture.
Siler said her opportunity to coach came after a conversation with Clinton High Principal Robbie Herrell.
“I was talking with Mr. Herrell at a basketball game, and we were discussing flag football,” Siler said. “He said he thought I would be perfect for the job.
“I love football, and the sport is growing,” she said. “With it coming to the Olympics in 2028 and colleges offering scholarships, it’s only going to get bigger.
“The growth of the sport is creating new opportunities for girls to showcase their talents. I’m really excited about it, and the Titans are doing a lot to help it grow in Nashville.”
The TSSAA plans to sanction girls flag football beginning in spring 2026.
However, several East Tennessee schools have already launched programs, as Knox County Schools organized a league last fall.
Siler has leaned on the experiences of other coaches, including Cotton.
“Jon has been a huge help for us, and if you know about the rivalry, that’s not something you typically see,” Siler said. “We’ve even had joint practices together.
“I’ve also spoken with several Knox County coaches, and they’ve been great resources. I’ve even connected with the head coach at Milligan University, who has attended some of our practices. We really have a community that has rallied around this sport.”
At Anderson County, Cotton was able to recruit athletes from across the Lady Mavericks’ sports programs. At Clinton, Siler has done much the same.
“We have some of our basketball players out, and one girl even left the track team to focus on flag football,” Siler said. “We also have cheerleaders playing, and they’re among our best athletes.
“Some girls are still running track and adjusting their schedules, but what’s really exciting is we have girls who have never played traditional sports before. They’re coming out and showcasing amazing talent.”
