Jericho High Fielding 30 Flag Football Players in Second Season
The rapid expansion of the spring sport has left softball and lacrosse programs short on roster spots at the Long Island school.
By Carmen Wojcik ·
Long Island schools have added flag football to their spring athletic calendars, a shift that has redrawn the map of participation for local high schools. At Jericho High School, the varsity women's flag football team completed its second season this spring, marking a major growth phase for the program.
The district adopted the sport in 2022 after former Athletic Director John Mankowich proposed the addition. Parents and students in the district lobbied for the new option, noting that schools across the country were already fielding teams. Head Coach Peter O'Malley left his middle school baseball position to lead the Jayhawks' inaugural season. The team held an interest meeting the fall before play began, followed by winter workouts designed to help students learn the rules and decide on their commitments.
The spring of 2025 brought a surge in enrollment for the new program. Allison D'Antonio, the varsity assistant coach, described the growth as an understatement of how quickly the sport took off. She noted that students who had previously avoided organized sports felt comfortable trying flag football because the game was new to many of them.
D'Antonio attributed the interest to the sport's accessibility. She described the game as fast and competitive, with a role for every player. The rules are straightforward to learn, even if specific plays require memorization. The format emphasizes teamwork and quick decision-making, which builds character in a low-barrier environment.
The popularity of flag football has created a competitive environment for other spring sports at Jericho. Alana Mercante, the varsity lacrosse assistant coach, stated that the new sport made it challenging to retain lacrosse players for the spring season. Softball programs also reported lower interest and difficulty in filling rosters since flag football arrived on the schedule.
The shift has altered the dynamics for athletes in traditional sports. Chloe D., a Jericho lacrosse player graduating in 2028, chose to remain in the lacrosse program rather than switch to flag football. She explained that the large roster in flag football meant she would likely see limited playing time if she joined that team.
D. cited the calmer atmosphere of lacrosse as a primary reason for her decision. She preferred the environment of the lacrosse field to the crowded nature of the flag football roster. Her choice illustrates how the influx of new athletes has changed the competitive landscape for existing spring sports.
Jericho is one of many Long Island communities where flag football has grown rapidly. The sport began as a non-varsity activity in the Long Island Flag Football League before schools integrated it into their official athletic programs. The expansion has forced athletic directors to balance the demand for the new sport with the need to maintain traditional teams in baseball, softball, and lacrosse.
