Flag football seniors and their parents on Senior Day. Photo by Anthony Geremias Photos, Instagram: anthony_pics_12 .

By MacKenzie O’Gorman

April 29, 2026: Girls’ flag football has gained popularity exponentially in high schools throughout the US and will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Just a few short years ago, in the winter of 2024, a girls’ flag football program at Bronxville was just an idea­– one that was powered by determination, excitement and a very small group of athletes willing to do what it would take to create a team. It definitely was not a simple task.

This small group of athletes advocated for the creation of the team, gathering signatures of other students who wanted to play. With the help of Gillian McGovern, one of the school's PE teachers, they presented a formal request backed by facts and stats about flag football to the school administrators. 

That's when the real work began.  To bring the program to life, Bronxville needed to find a partner school to have enough players to field a team. As luck would have it, Irvington High School was in the same position and offered to host Bronxville.

In the Spring of 2024, nine Bronxville HS girls made the daily trip to Irvington, riding the Little Ducky bus back and forth for practices and games, which added an extra hour to their already busy schedules. This commitment–to the sport and to each other–laid the foundation for something much bigger– the continuation of flag football into the 2025 season.

Last year Bronxville marked a major milestone, having more than enough girls to field its first independent varsity team under the leadership of Patsy Manganelli, the Bronxville's boys’ varsity football coach. The team had an incredible first season advancing to the sectional semi-finals, with a loss to Ardsley in a very close game.  

Coach Patsy and Coach Fisher in the center of the huddle. Photo by Anthony Geremias Photos, Instagram: anthony_pics_12.

How It's Going

This season, the flag football program has taken another exciting leap forward. Due to the increased popularity of the sport within the school, the first-ever JV team was formed and is coached by Gillian McGovern. 

Made up largely of freshmen and sophomores, the JV team has quickly found its stride, showing so much potential and passion for the sport. They currently hold a record of 6-2. Beyond their performance, the team has quickly built an energetic, supportive and close-knit environment that reflects the culture of the program. 

“Coaching the inaugural JV flag team has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Coach McGovern.  “I’ve loved being part of the program and helping it grow. We have an exceptional group of girls, and it’s been exciting to watch their skills develop and their understanding of the game deepen each day.” 

Captains MacKenzie O’Gorman, Sam Pagano, and Claire Kennedy, inaugural team members. Photo by Anthony Geremias Photos, Instagram: anthony_pics_12. 

On the varsity side, the team is lucky to have Head Coach Patsy leading the program once again, fresh off a New York State Class C Football Championship with the boys' team. In the fall, he was named NYS Class C Coach of the Year. 

“Effort equals everything,” said Coach Manganelli. “The girls make sure to always give 110% in practice and in games no matter the conditions of play." 

The team is off to a great start with a 5-3 record. With many players still relatively new to the sport, the team has embraced a culture of learning and support.  Athletes who have been part of the program over the past two years have stepped into leadership roles, helping to guide and mentor newer players creating a culture of fun, trust, and friendship.

Matt Fisher, Bronxville PE teacher, who has joined the team this year as assistant coach, is very supportive of the team.

“It is a powerful shift to witness–transitioning from a sport where women were once excluded to one where they now thrive,” said Coach Fisher. “It is truly a pleasure to coach such a motivated group of girls who show up every day ready to compete, have fun, and stay active with their best friends.” 

Photo by Anthony Geremias Photos, Instagram: anthony_pics_12.  

A Celebration for our Seniors and Former Teammates

Friday, April 24th marked a very meaningful and full-circle moment for the Bronxville varsity team as they faced Irvington –the very program that helped launch their flag football journey.  The game served not only as Senior Day for ten of Bronxville's graduating players, but also as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the six Irvington seniors, many of whom were once teammates. 

The celebration was filled with great energy and emotion from the start, as Bronxville teammates presented hand-made posters to each of the seniors before they were announced and honored on the field with flowers alongside their parents.

Captain Faith Belke and her sister Sabrina. Photo by Anthony Geremias Photos, Instagram: anthony_pics_12. 

Bronxville secured a 45-0 win against Irvington, but the game was more than what was on the scoreboard. It was a celebration of a shared history, respect between two programs, and proof that a single spark has turned the program into something unstoppable.

Looking Forward

The Class C Broncos have five more games before they head into the playoff season and will play at home against Dobbs Ferry today at 4:30. Keep up with both the varsity and JV girls’ flag football teams on Instagram (@bxvgirlsflagfootball) as they continue their season.

"It has been remarkable to witness the rapid evolution of flag football,” said Athletic Director Anthony Vaglica. “We started three years ago with a small merged team of 13, and seeing that grow into a robust program of over 40 athletes across JV and varsity levels today is a proud moment for Bronxville. This expansion reflects the incredible demand and the trailblazing spirit of our athletes who are defining a new era of sports tradition." 

Varsity and JV girls on Senior Day. Photo by Anthony Geremias Photos, Instagram: anthony_pics_12. 

Go Broncos.

Note from the Author 

As someone who has always loved sports and the sense of community they create, I am excited to begin highlighting, from a student's point of view, the teams, athletes, coaches, and the stories that make Bronxville High School so special. I will be writing articles about different sports teams throughout the spring season, starting with girls’ flag football– a program I feel especially connected to and one that has quickly become one of the most exciting movements in our school.