Thomas Jefferson qualified for the first round of the Pittsburgh Girls Flag Football League playoffs last year.
With no graduation losses in the spring, the Jaguars are aiming to extend their 2026 season even further.
Girls flag football is one of the fastest-growing high school sports in Pennsylvania and has been officially added to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, which has accelerated the sport’s development at every level.
This is the first season that girls flag football is being overseen by the WPIAL as a sanctioned varsity sport. Section play began March 16; TJ won its season opener against Brentwood, 41-20.
“We were fortunate to not graduate any girls from last season’s team,” TJ coach George Souders said. “My expectation for this year is that we continue to get better than our last season. We made it to the playoffs last year, but I believe with this being our second year as a team, I am excited to try to get even further this season.
“The girls all have a great attitude about the game, and they understand what we are trying to accomplish.”
There are 58 flag football teams in four sections this season.
TJ is a member of Section 2 along with Baldwin, Belle Vernon, Bethel Park, Brentwood, California, Clairton, Montour, Mt. Lebanon, Peters Township, Ringgold, South Allegheny, South Fayette, Uniontown and Upper St. Clair.
The top four teams in each section qualify for the playoffs. Throughout the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers will honor football players and coaches
“The start of the 2026 girls flag football season – the first as a state-sanctioned sport – is a testament to the partnerships forged across Pennsylvania and the passion of the girls who play the game,” said Dan Rooney, the Steelers vice president of strategy. “As the sport continues to take hold regionally and beyond, building momentum toward 2028 when flag football will make its Olympic debut, the Steelers are proud to continue to support these young athletes.”
Team members are eligible to win the Jerome Bettis Leadership Award, which recognizes players who go above and beyond to mentor their teammates both on and off the field. The winner receives a $1,000 donation to their team.
This is the second year of competition for the TJ girls flag football team and second that Souders is coaching the squad. Last year, the Jaguars advanced to the postseason riding a nine-game winning streak and ended up with a 9-2 overall record.
Not one girl on the team had played flag football prior to the 2025 season.
“My goal as the head coach is to make sure these girls learn life lessons that help them in the future while also teaching them about the game of football,” Souders said. “It’s good to have fun in this sport, but we all have a goal in place to win the WPIAL.”
There are four sophomores in the Jaguars’ early season starting lineup: Bella Stupakis at quarterback, Aubrey Mahoney and Tess Obiero at wide receiver and Kaylyn Kislak at running back. Tyla Kynor, a senior, and Marissa DeSimone, a junior, also are receivers and Mya Clonan is a freshman center.
Stupakis appears to be a natural for the QB position. She has a strong arm and can sling the football downfield with ease.
Stupakis has been receiving invites to attend national quarterback camps. She and Mahoney, who scored 22 touchdowns last season, already have landed college scholarship offers.
The foundation for flag football includes route running, flag pulling technique, reading defenses and understanding formations.
“One of the most important things we have worked on is our timing,” Souders said. “We want to make sure everyone is on the same page so each play runs smoothly. Another thing we have worked on is our route running. This helps the play develop and allows time for our quarterback to see her checks.
“We are just very excited for the season. My assistant, Jon Tuladziek, and I have so much faith in the girls.”
Other players on the TJ squad include seniors Kahlen Barringer, Alayna Button and Samantha Strope; juniors Layla Patterson, Jaydon Taylor and Jordyn Taylor; sophomores Tessa Kanotz, Riley Marlow, Nyla Parker, Addyson Shiring, Hailey Withers and Gabriella Zak; and freshmen Victoria Clark, Mikayla Ganley, Arlee Kynor and Seeya Sherpa.