Annabelle Rivers, 10, is locked in and flying all over the field making plays.

"My favorite part is the games. And when I’m on defense, I like to smack the ball down from when they’re trying to catch it," said Rivers.

She’s been playing flag football since she was 5, and usually with all boys. But that changed this year.

Guilderland is one of four communities participating in the Capital District Pop Warner’s inaugural girls flag football season. There are two teams: the 8-10 team, which Annabelle Rivers plays on, and the 14-16 team, which is where you can find Madison Haggerty.

"I've always loved the game and the sport, watching it, and I love understanding the plays and learning the different plays," Haggerty said.

New girls flag football leagues are popping up across the state and country. According to the NFL, 474,000 young women between the ages of 6 and 17 played flag football last year, an increase of 63% from 2019.

Starting next year, girls flag football is officially a varsity sport with the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

"To have this option and knowing the state is moving in that direction in years to come for a high school sport, we want to help build that foundation here in Guilderland, so we’re that feeder program for the high school," said Mike Jantzen, former president of Guilderland Pop Warner.

Helping develop the players right now are coaches Heather Rivers and Eric Zimmer.

"They’ve been playing really hard," said Rivers. "I’ve had some girls that have never played before. I have some girls that have played a couple times, and they’re all meshing really well. They’re learning the sport, and they’re just having a blast."

She coaches the younger group, which has 17 players, including her daughter Annabelle. The group has been practicing since August two days a week and excited to be part of this historic moment, with flag football receiving Olympic status for the 2028 Los Angeles summer games.

"I think it’s an amazing message for them, showing them that go for it, you can do it. If you want to give it a shot, here’s your opportunity; take it," Heather Rivers said.

With the inaugural season under their belt, they hope to see more players and communities get involved next year.

"I’m so proud of my team. We’ve come so far from the beginning, emotionally and physically," Haggerty said.