Alton High Girls Flag Football Continues To Build Foundation For Future

EDWARDSVILLE - Alton’s Redbirds girls flag football team continued its early-season program-building effort Tuesday night, Sept. 1, 2026, falling 52-0 to the Edwardsville Tigers while still looking for its first win at 0-3 overall.

Head Coach Nic Bradshaw said the Redbirds are measuring progress beyond the scoreboard as they face teams with more experience.

“Starting this ball club against a lot of teams that we play, they’re in their second and third year,” Bradshaw said. “And these girls never played football in their lives. I’m really proud of these seniors; they’re setting the floor, setting the standard for us. Wins, record-wise, that might not be in our favor, but we’re setting the standard, and building our program even further.”

Coach Bradshaw said he sees potential for Alton flag football to grow into a prominent sport.

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“I see it as one of the prominent sports,” Bradshaw said. “I see it as one of the sports where we see a lot more girls out year after year, hopefully building a JV team, and maybe getting into the junior high, eventually, and making this growing sport something that Alton really looks forward to.”

Girls flag football brings a fast pace, and Bradshaw said the Redbirds have adjusted well to that style of play.

“This game is super fast-paced,” Bradshaw said. “The pace of play is something we’ve adapted to, I feel like, getting ready. Some teams run no-huddle, running the plays from sideline signs, so it’s a lot of, ’ We’ve gotta get up, get ready. Next-play mentality is what we hold our girls to. I’m proud of these girls, who came out and battled one of the best teams in the state, and I’m proud of them.”

The Redbirds next play Belleville West at home Thursday. They are at Hillsboro on Sept. 9 and play at home Sept. 10 against East St. Louis. All games start at 6 p.m.

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