Blue Valley Southwest and Blue Valley West combined 27 players into the West Wolves for Kansas' first sanctioned girls flag football season.

The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Board of Directors voted 61-1 in April to make girls flag football an official sport starting with the 2026-27 school year. Kansas became the 18th state to sanction the sport, KSHSAA reported.

For the Blue Valley district, the vote meant four teams would take the field for the fall 2026 season. Southwest and West combined their rosters into one squad, the West Wolves, according to BVSW News, the student newspaper at Blue Valley Southwest.

Head coach Joe Allison, who also teaches strength and conditioning and coaches baseball at Blue Valley West in Overland Park, said the 27-player roster blends experienced athletes with newcomers.

"We have several multi-sport athletes, girls that play soccer, girls that play basketball, we have some cheerleaders … And then we have some girls that are trying sports for the first time," Allison told BVSW News.

Junior Macy Hansen plays quarterback, wide receiver and middle linebacker for the West Wolves. Hansen, who also plays basketball and tennis, said the team held tryouts for quarterback.

Players who did not earn that spot moved to wide receiver. On defense, Hansen plays middle linebacker, rushing the quarterback.

Sophomore Kaysi Webb had little football background before joining. She said playing catch with her brother helped persuade her to try out.

Webb said combining two schools on one roster has built connections across campuses, with teammates joking about their school rivalries while bonding over a new sport.

The West Wolves practice Monday through Friday after school at Blue Valley West. Hansen said sessions include stretches, route-running and scrimmages.

The 7-on-7 season runs eight weeks, with the chance to extend to 10 weeks if the team reaches playoffs. A state tournament caps the inaugural year. Statewide, 28 high schools piloted programs in 2025, averaging 24 athletes per roster, according to KSHSAA.

The Blue Valley district's advisory committee discussed adding the sport as early as October 2025, with the Kansas City Chiefs offering to fund startup costs pending state approval, according to district meeting minutes.

The inaugural sanctioned season began Sept. 2, with a kickoff event at Piper District Stadium in Kansas City, Kansas, FOX4 News Kansas City reported on X. The West Wolves' regular season runs eight weeks, with a state tournament capping the inaugural year.