By: Marco LaTorre, Summer '25 Intern

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) will conduct the 2^nd Annual Flag Football State Championships at Cortland High School & Homer High School (Section III) from June 7-8. Games kick off at 9:30 AM on Saturday, June 7th and conclude with finals starting at 11:00 AM on Sunday, June 8.

“We are very excited to see the incredible, quick growth of flag football now with this event going to three divisions,” said Jennifer Lapinski, NYSPHSAA Flag Football State Co-Coordinator. “The commitment of these young female athletes to try something new and embrace the challenge of a brand-new sport is inspiring, and I cannot wait to see the continued growth of this sport across the state.”

The 2025 state tournament will be the first year there will be three divisions of competition.  Four teams in Class A, four in Class B and four in Class C will contend for a state title.

Scarsdale (I) is back in the semifinals aiming to finish the job after falling short in last year’s Division 1 championship, when the event was a two-division tournament. After a first-round bye, they edged Middletown (IX) 19-18 in this year’s state quarterfinals and will face Fayetteville-Manlius (III) who defeated Albany (2) 21-19. That semifinal kicks off at 9:30 AM on June 7th at Cortland High School.
Also in Class A, Penfield (V) rebounded from last year’s early exit with a 32-19 win over Orchard Park (VI) in the state quarterfinals. Half Hollow Hills (XI) stunned defending champs Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK (VIII) with a 6-0 shutout. The two will meet at 11:30 AM in the second semifinal. The semifinal winners will clash for the Class A state championship game at Cortland HS on Saturday, June 8th at 11:00 AM.

The semifinal matchups for the 2025 Class B state tournament are officially set. Tappan Zee (I) held off Minisink Valley (IX) 13-7 in a tight quarterfinal and will now face Columbia (2), who advanced with a dominant 45-12 win over Central Square (III). They’ll meet in the semifinals on June 7th at 1:30 PM at Cortland High School.

The other semifinal features Webster Schroeder (V), who defeated Clarence (VI) 26-14. They’ll take on Sayville (XI), who is looking to redeem last year’s championship loss and returned strongly with a 33-6 win over Division High School (VIII). That semifinal is set for June 7th at 3:30 PM, also at Cortland HS.

The Class B State championship game will be held at Cortland High School on Saturday, June 8th at 3:30 PM.

The Class C field of teams is set. At the top of the bracket, Beekmantown (VII) cruised to the semifinals with a dominant 56-21 win over Oneida (III). They’ll face Owego Free Academy (IV), returning to the semis after falling short in last year’s Division 2 tournament. OFA advanced with a statement 40-14 victory over Hendrick Hudson (I). This semifinal kicks off at 9:30 AM on June 7th at Homer High School.

The second semifinal features two teams eager to rebound from last year’s Division 2 quarterfinal exit. Pioneer (VI) prevailed over Finney (V) 12-6, while Plainedge (VIII) earned a gritty 12-7 win over John Glenn (XI) in each quarterfinal. The two will square off at 11:30 AM, also on June 7th at Homer.

The winners will meet in the Class C Championship Game at Cortland High School on Saturday, June 8th at 1:15 PM.

Tickets for the each day are $12 (including fees) and kids 5 and under are free. Tickets are all-digital and can only be purchased here.

More information about the 2025 NYSPHSAA Flag Football Championships can be found at www.nysphsaa.org