Mars Area High School’s Girls Flag Football Team kicked off its inaugural season earlier this week.

When the team was proposed in Fall 2025, more than 40 girls signed up, says Johnathan Emhardt, who, along with Joe Haefner, is serving as the team’s coach. “The enthusiasm from the students reinforced my belief that now is the perfect time to establish this program at Mars.”

In December, Mars Area School Board approved the official formation of the team, which then applied to join the Steelers Girls Flag Football league for the spring season. The league includes 50 teams from various local high schools.

The team competes as part of the Steelers Girls Flag Football North Division, against teams from Deer Lakes, Hampton, New Castle, Nazareth Prep, North Allegheny, North Catholic, North Hills and Seneca Valley high schools. In the team’s first game of the season on March 30, the Lady Planets defeated the Nazareth Prep Saints 18-6.

“Our roster includes 35 girls, many of whom are new to spring sports,” says Emhardt. “Their excitement and commitment have been inspiring.”

Team members include seniors Trinity Finn, Eva Fratto, Lily Javor, Jordan Kemigisa and Milana Starostina; juniors Sarah Arnold, London Ayers, Eden Brennan, Alexis Cashdollar, Gabrelle Gage, Isabella Gillette, Ava Girdwood, Alaina Graham, Mia Gratton, Alexandria Lefcakis, Mara Lerza, Addison Orehowsky, MiKayla Ostermann, Anya Peck, Ashlyn Pecoraro, Teagan Tumulty, Addison Vargo and Tessa Wicker; sophomores Cassidy Batchelor, Shelby Jazbinsek, Lauren Munoz, Ava Pulliam and Elaina Riegler; freshmen Isabella Cira, Gemma Fratto, Allie Girdwood, Miley Gratton, Bailey Jackson, Alexa Lefcakis and Juliette Montanez.

As PIAA has sanctioned Girls Flag Football as a high school sport beginning with the 2025-2026 School Year, the goal is to establish the team as an official Mars Area High School sport, says Emhardt, noting that the logistics adding the new sport have yet to be determined.

The team will next take on the North Catholic Trojans at noon and the New Castle Red Hurricanes at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, at New Castle Senior High School.

For more information, visit www.steelers.com/youth/girls-flag-football.