Led by Kevin Zebluim, Keystone Sports Training hosted its second annual girls flag football showcase Sunday night at North Penn High School.
In just its second year, the event drew more than 60 athletes from over 20 high schools across the Philadelphia area. Ranging from incoming freshmen to rising seniors, and from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, the players demonstrated their skills in one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States.
“With my background as a high school boys' football coach for the past 10 years, and as someone who has been recruited, I’ve always felt there was a need to bridge the gap between these new flag football coaches and the players,” Zebluim said.
Two standouts were Zebluim’s own rising seniors, Tessa Wieloch and Amani Keys, who helped lead North Penn to its first undefeated regular season. Both players impressed in front of their peers and college coaches.
“It was super exciting having the college coaches out there because I’ve worked very hard for this,” Keys said. “It made me want to play smart and prove that I belong out here. It felt good to know that all the effort I’ve put into this game is being recognized.”
Wieloch showcased her route-running and playmaking ability in the 1-on-1 setting and the 7-on-7 scrimmage. Defensively, Keys was dominant, pulling flags throughout the night, locking down receivers, and even came down with an interception during the 1-on-1 portion.
Joining the North Penn duo, Central Bucks East rising senior Sarah Boland showed why she is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the Suburban One League. Pass after pass, Boland displayed her arm talent and accuracy. But for her, Sunday night was about more than personal success.
“From when I started playing flag, the biggest difference I’ve seen is the number of people playing and how it’s been taken seriously,” Boland said. “I used to play in a league with barely enough girls to make two teams, and now I’m fortunate to compete with so many girls from all over the area.”
Among the underclassmen, Abington's rising sophomore Chiaka Akutah stood out as a two-way talent. Offensively, Akutah showed her arm strength and playmaking skills as a receiver. Defensively, she prevented ball handlers from getting past her, clocking one of the fastest times in a flag-pulling drill, snagging three carriers’ flags.
“It feels really good when I get to go out and play against my peers,” Akutah said. “I respect them all, and it is always fun to compete.”
Under the watch of college coaches and scouts, the athletes did not shy away from showcasing their talents. Marymount University, Milligan University, and local programs such as Holy Family University and Neumann University were in attendance.
Neumann’s first-year head coach, Keith Smith, wasn’t focused on speed or arm talent. He was looking for effort.
“When you come to college, as coaches, we will train you and prepare you to be ready on the field,” Smith said. “One thing we can’t coach is effort. When I’m out here, I’m looking to see if you are going 100% every rep.”
In addition to coaches, current flag football players from Milligan University attended to support and recruit the next generation. One was former Lansdale Catholic quarterback and current Milligan quarterback Bridget Keyser.
Keyser, an early adopter of flag football in the Philadelphia area, picked up the sport in eighth grade while playing for Athena Athletics. She helped pave the way for future players.
“When I started playing, I would go to tournaments and there would be maybe eight girls teams at the event,” Keyser said. “Now the girls teams typically outnumber the boys teams, which is great. There are so many more girls involved, and it is becoming very well known.”
Many believe flag football is just getting started in the United States, including Holy Family University head coach Charles Hopkins.
“I think this sport is just starting to take off,” Hopkins said. “The Olympics are introducing it in 2028, which is another big step forward, but I think this can become just as big as the NFL one day.”
Zebluim agrees and believes it is only a matter of time before flag football appears at the Division I level.
“The moment that one of these bigger college leagues here in the Northeast offers something, I can see things getting really crazy, really fast,” Zebluim said. “It could really blow up.”