Norwin High School girls to play flag football games for charity

A group of Norwin High School students practiced for two big football games Wednesday, but they won’t be involving boys and they’re not up for a WPIAL championship.

Approximately 150 girls from Years 9 through 12 will take to the field at Norwin Knights Stadium and play two flag football games for charity. They play to help children from families in need receive toys for the holiday season, which are distributed by Toys for Pittsburgh Tikes, a non-profit organization.

Games will feature freshmen vs sophomores at 5:30pm and juniors vs seniors at 7:30pm, with games taking place under the lights. There are no plans to hold a championship contest between the winners of the two games, said Hannah Shaw, a senior who organized the event.

The price of admission to the games is an unopened toy in the original box or a cash donation at the fan’s choice, all going to Toys for Pittsburgh Tikes.

Each team will have eight players with a running clock, said Shaw, a pole vaulter on the track and field team who will play middle on the senior team. The player’s tackle with the ball is accomplished by pulling a flag from the ball carrier’s waist.

Shaw said she chose Toys for Pittsburgh Tikes because her father is on the board and she has helped the charity before.

Shaw helped restart the traditional girls’ flag football game after being told there were no plans to hold the game this year. The game was canceled in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic and again in 2021 due to restricted use of the facilities.

She received more than 650 signatures to support the games and the school administration approved her.

Many teachers and community members showed support for the game, Shaw said. Some varsity football players help the girls, while teachers act as coaches and umpires.