Skip To Main Content

Squalicum girls flag football competes in Seattle Seahawks Girls Flag Takeover event

The Seahawks girls flag football program poses for a photo after the game

The Squalicum girls flag football program poses for a team photo after the game against Jackson with head coach Reed Richardson holding the Coach of the Game ball. 

Photo credit: Football Northwest LLC 
Photographer: Kayshawn Mounarath/Seattle Seahawks

A group of female athletes in sports uniforms are gathered together, smiling and celebrating with a coach on a sports field at night.

Squalicum celebrates its victory over Jackson as head coach Reed Richardson congratulates senior Ella Insera.

Photo credit: Football Northwest LLC 
Photographer: Kayshawn Mounarath/Seattle Seahawks

A large group of people, likely a sports team, posing together on a grassy field in front of a stadium-like structure with trees and a blue sky in the background.

The Squalicum girls flag football program poses for a photo with former Seahawks offensive lineman Garry Gilliam and Blitz, the team mascot.

Photo by BPS Communications

A group of female athletes in sports uniforms celebrating and cheering on a sports field at night, with stadium lights illuminating the scene.

Student-athletes celebrate the victory and react to the announcement that the team would receive a $1,000 donation and head coach Reed Richardson was named Coach of the Game.

Photo credit: Football Northwest LLC 
Photographer: Kayshawn Mounarath/Seattle Seahawks

The image shows a group of female athletes in colorful uniforms competing on a sports field, with tents and other equipment visible in the background.

Squalicum senior Ella Insera hauls in a leaping, tightly-contested touchdown reception just before halftime.

Photo credit: Football Northwest LLC 
Photographer: Kayshawn Mounarath/Seattle Seahawks

 

The image shows a football player on the ground, surrounded by other players and spectators on a brightly lit football field at night.

Squalicum senior Ella Insera secured the diving touchdown catch just before halftime, falling backward to the ground with a defender close by.

Photo by BPS Communications

Two young women in athletic uniforms are standing on a red running track, with a large stadium structure visible in the background.

Teammates congratulate senior Ella Insera after the touchdown reception.

Photo by BPS Communications

A group of people, some wearing sports uniforms, are gathered together and appear to be celebrating or cheering enthusiastically in a nighttime setting.

Squalicum assistant coach Alex Hurley and student-athletes celebrate the victory and react to the announcement that the team would receive a $1,000 donation and head coach Reed Richardson was named Coach of the Game.

Photo by BPS Communications

A group of young women in sports uniforms are gathered together, smiling and interacting, with a sports field and stadium visible in the background.

Student-athletes celebrate the victory and react to the announcement that the team would receive a $1,000 donation and head coach Reed Richardson was named Coach of the Game.

Photo by BPS Communications

The image depicts a nighttime sports event, with players in uniforms on a brightly lit field surrounded by spectators in the background.

The Squalicum defense works to pull the flag of a Jackson player during the shutout effort. 

Photo by BPS Communications

The image depicts a group of people engaged in a competitive sports activity, with players in the foreground jumping to catch a ball or object, while spectators and officials can be seen in the background.

Squalicum safeties, freshman Luccia Steinkamp and sophomore Siri Hoglin, contest a pass that resulted in an interception.

Photo credit: Football Northwest LLC 
Photographer: Kayshawn Mounarath/Seattle Seahawks

A person in athletic attire is jumping in the foreground, with a crowd of people visible in the background on a sports field at night.

Freshman Luccia Steinkamp contests a pass that resulted in an interception by sophomore Siri Hoglin.

Photo by BPS Communications

The image shows two people, one in a sports uniform and the other in casual clothing, interacting on a sports field at night, with lights illuminating the scene.

Sophomore Siri Hoglin secures an interception as freshman Luccia Steinkamp looks on.

Photo by BPS Communications

The image shows a group of people engaged in a sports activity on a field, with one person lying on the ground in the foreground.

Sophomore Siri Hoglin secures an interception as freshman Luccia Steinkamp and junior Keira Coz look on.

Photo by BPS Communications

The image shows a football player lying on the field, surrounded by teammates and medical personnel, while other players stand nearby on the field.

Sophomore Siri Hoglin secures an interception as freshman Luccia Steinkamp and junior Keira Coz look on.

Photo by BPS Communications

A female athlete in a white and red uniform is kneeling on a sports field, surrounded by jerseys and equipment in the background.

Sophomore Siri Hoglin holds up the ball after securing a late interception against Jackson.

Photo by BPS Communications

A person in a colorful costume stands on a sports field, with a stadium-like structure and people in the background.

The Seahawks mascot, Blitz, throws a pass to a Squalicum student-athlete before the start of the first game.

Photo by BPS Communications

A group of young athletes, likely a sports team, standing together on a sports field or stadium, with the background showing stadium seating and lighting.

Squalicum student-athletes listed to former Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Garry Gilliam address the team before their first game.

Photo by BPS Communications

A group of people, some wearing jerseys with the word %22STORM%22 on them, are gathered on a sports field with a stadium in the background.

Squalicum student-athletes listed to former Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Garry Gilliam address the team before their first game.

Photo by BPS Communications

The image shows three men in sports uniforms and jackets standing on a football field at night, with stadium lights illuminating the scene.

Head coach Reed Richardson and assistant coach Alex Hurley pose for a photo with the Coach of the Game ball following Squalicum's 7-0 victory over Jackson. 

Photo credit: Football Northwest LLC 
Photographer: Kayshawn Mounarath/Seattle Seahawks

A large blue and yellow banner featuring a stylized eagle logo and the text %22SKLZ%22 is displayed in the foreground, with people visible in the background.

Young fans retrieve balls from a target passing tent near the entrance to the stadium.

Photo by BPS Communications

A group of young female athletes in sports uniforms are gathered together, smiling and interacting with each other in what appears to be a sports event or competition setting.

Former Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Garry Gilliam passes out t-shirts to Squalicum student-athletes.

Photo by BPS Communications

The image shows a person wearing a navy blue jacket and a gray hooded sweatshirt standing in front of a green fence, with other people visible in the background.

Mario Bailey, the Seattle Seahawks vice president of Community Engagement, speaks with media before the games.

Photo by BPS Communications

A group of people, including a person in a mascot costume, are gathered on a sports field surrounded by stadium seating.

Squalicum captains meet with a referee and Jackson student-athletes for the pregame coin toss as the Seahawks' mascot, Blitz, assists.

Photo by BPS Communications

The image shows a person holding a large drum with the %22Blue%22 logo prominently displayed, surrounded by other individuals in the background.

Members of the Seattle Seahawks drumline, Blue Thunder, perform on the track near the stands.

Photo by BPS Communications

The image shows two people in athletic uniforms playing a sport on a field at night, with a ball in the air and the background obscured by darkness.

Sophomore quarterback Tayen Withrow throws a pass over the outstretched arms of an oncoming Jackson defender.

Photo by BPS Communications

Two individuals, a man and a woman, are running on a football field at night, with a backdrop of a stadium and other people in the background.

Junior Dylan Kubista runs the ball against Jackson. 

Photo by BPS Communications

The image shows two female athletes in athletic uniforms standing on a sports field, with a blurred background of what appears to be a stadium or sports facility.

The Squalicum defense awaits the snap of the ball.

Photo by BPS Communications

The image shows two people, a man and a woman, embracing each other on a sports field with a forested background.

Former Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Garry Gilliam provides an autograph for a Squalicum student-athlete.

Photo credit: Football Northwest LLC 
Photographer: Kayshawn Mounarath/Seattle Seahawks

Two people, a man and a woman, are standing on a sports field at night, with a crowd of people visible in the background.

Squalicum defenders close quickly on the Jackson quarterback during a passing play.

Photo by BPS Communications

The image shows a group of female soccer players on a field at night, with one player in the foreground appearing to be in motion.

Squalicum defenders reach to pull the flag of a Jackson player during the Storms' 7-0 victory.

Photo by BPS Communication

Two players, one in a blue jersey and the other in a white jersey, are engaged in a competitive moment on a sports field at night, with the background illuminated by stadium lights.

Squalicum senior Ella Insera applies blitzing pressure against the Jackson quarterback. 

Photo by BPS Communications

The image shows two female athletes in sports uniforms engaged in a competitive game on a sports field at night, with the field illuminated by stadium lights.

Squalicum defenders pull the flag from a Jackson player during the 7-0 victory effort.

Photo by BPS Communications

The image shows a group of people, including a woman holding a young child, standing in what appears to be a public setting with a red carpet and other structures in the background.

Members of the Seattle Seahawks dance team prepare for a photo with a young fan before the games. 

Photo credit: Football Northwest LLC 
Photographer: Kayshawn Mounarath/Seattle Seahawks

The image shows a person in a mascot costume interacting with other people on a sports field at night, with the field illuminated by bright lights.

The Seahawks' mascot, Blitz, interacts with a Squalicum student-athlete before the games.

Photo by BPS Communications

A group of female athletes in sports uniforms gathered on a football field, with a referee in the center of the group.

Squalicum student-athletes thanks the referee crew for officiating the game against Jackson. 

Photo by BPS Communications.

The image shows a poster advertising a %22Girls Flag Takeover%22 event, with a black and white background featuring smiling faces of several individuals.

A sign near the stadium entrance highlights the Seahawks Girls Flag Takeover event.

Photo by BPS Communications

  • Confident individuals who challenge themselves
  • Healthy, active individuals
  • Leaders, collaborators and team players
  • Student, Family and Community Engagement
Squalicum girls flag football competes in Seattle Seahawks Girls Flag Takeover event

Flag football is widely-regarded as the fastest-growing youth sport in the United States, and the scene for the Squalicum High School girls flag football program on Jan. 7 at Everett Memorial Stadium was indicative of the sport’s popular rise. 

Squalicum was joined by Ferndale, Monroe and Jackson high schools for flag football games at an event selected as a Seattle Seahawks Girls Flag Takeover. 

To support and amplify girls flag football, the Seattle Seahawks visit select high school gamedays with Seahawks talent, fan tents, giveaways and more.  

Just inside the stadium entrance, fans waited in line for autographs and photos with former Seattle offensive lineman Garry Gilliam and were able to collect giveaways and play a fan game. 

Gilliam visited with each team before the games to share words of inspiration. As a rookie, Gilliam caught a touchdown from former punter Jon Ryan as part of the infamous fake field goal play against the Green Bay Packers in the 2015 NFC Championship. 

The Seahawks’ mascot, Blitz, ran around the field pregame tossing footballs and interacting with student-athletes before helping with the coin toss for the Squalicum versus Jackson game. A couple of Seahawks dancers and members of the Seahawks drumline, Blue Thunder, also supported the event. 

The Squalicum varsity team defeated Jackson, 7-0, behind a stout defensive performance with multiple interceptions. A leaping, tightly-contested touchdown reception from Storm senior Ella Insera just before halftime sent the sideline into a frenzy as Insera secured a diving catch falling backward to the ground with a defender close by. An interception late in the game from sophomore Siri Hoglin off a deflected pass that sent Hoglin and the receiver tumbling to the ground helped preserve the shutout. 

Squalicum’s game versus Jackson was one of two featured games for the Seahawks event, along with Monroe versus Ferndale. With the win, Squalicum head coach Reed Richardson was named Coach of the Game, presented with a football, and the program received a $1,000 donation from the Seahawks.  

“I have had so much fun coaching girls flag football,” Richardson said. “It is incredible to see how quickly they have learned the game in such a short time. I’m constantly amazed by the plays they make. That interception by Siri late in the game was incredible. And Ella’s catch was one of the best I’ve ever seen in 30 years of coaching boys football!” 

Squalicum’s varsity team then faced Monroe before junior varsity games took place. 

“It was really cool,” Squalicum sophomore Tayen Withrow said in an interview with Cascadia Daily News. “I have been wanting to play flag football since I was a little kid and having this opportunity with the Seahawks is awesome.” 

The Seahawks have supported the growth of flag football with close to half a million dollars in grant donations to school districts. Bellingham Public Schools was among the recipients in 2024 and in April 2025, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) officially sanctioned girls fall football, becoming the first WIAA sport to be added since girls bowling in 1999. 

“We are here to support the girls,” said Mario Bailey, the Seattle Seahawks vice president of Community Engagement in an interview published in the Cascadia Daily News story. “I’m happy and excited to be here and to support any way we can.” 

Initial seed funding for girls flag football in Bellingham Public Schools was supported by a Seahawks grant. Now, girls flag football is possible thanks to community funding support of the district’s operations levy which supports all athletics opportunities and many additional areas. 

Bailey, an All-American wide receiver for the University of Washington who also played in the NFL, looks forward to the continued growth of the sport as it debuts as an Olympic sport in 2028. 

“These girls are competing and going after it,” Bailey said. “You will see some girls want to grow up and become one of these superstars in the Olympics. These girls are also having a good time.” 

The 2025-26 school year marks the second year of girls flag football in Bellingham Public Schools for Bellingham, Sehome and Squalicum high schools. The trio were joined by Ferndale to form an inaugural Whatcom County quartet of teams competing in an eight-week flag football season spanning January and February 2025. 

Lynden, Oak Harbor and Lakewood also have teams to form a seven-member conference for the winter 2025-26 season. 

This season, there are 88 student-athletes competing in girls flag football between Squalicum, Sehome and Bellingham high schools. 

“It’s inspiring to witness the growth of flag football within the Northwest Conference and to see both coaches and student-athletes thriving in such a dynamic sport,” said James Hayes, BPS director of athletics and activities. “I’m excited about the continued success and future of girls flag football in Bellingham Public Schools.”

Find game schedules for girls flag football along with all sports in Bellingham Public Schools on the Northwest Conference website. 

More coverage and photos: 

  • Home Gallery
  • Squalicum High School
  • Students and Families in Action