MHSAA and the New Orleans Saints partnered to make Mississippi the 14th state to sanction girls flag football as an official sport, and the inaugural season is set to kick off Thursday.
Ahead of the first slate of games, members of the 12 teams that make up the newfound league ventured to the New Orleans Saints' practice facility Saturday to receive their uniforms and information about the upcoming season.
The schools included in the program will be McComb, South Pike, Brandon, East Central, George County, Meridian, Richland, St. Martin and Vancleave.
Roughly three coaches will be featured on each staff, and games will alternate taking place at Southwest Mississippi Community College and Picayune High School.
Each team takes part in a five-week season that begins Thursday, and the season concludes with “Championship Saturday” on May 10 at a to-be-determined location.
McComb and South Pike will compete within the “Saints Black” division that also features Brandon, George County, Oak Grove and Richland.
The Lady Eagles will face Brandon at 4 p.m. on Thursday at Picayune, while the Lady Tigers will face Oak Grove at 6 p.m.
Week 2 features McComb and South Pike rekindling their "Green and Gold Bowl' rivalry at 6 p.m. at SMCC. There is expected to be a local cookout for the game as well.
