USC Girls Make History with 2025 Flag Football Title

In the team’s second year of existence, the girls pulled out a victory in May against two-time defending champion Moon Area High School. The Panthers proved that with a great team environment, a sense of enjoyment, and a little bit of hard work, the seemingly impossible suddenly becomes reality.

Upper St. Clair’s flag football team is coached by Ryan Huzjak, vice president of sales & marketing for the Pittsburgh Steelers and father of two players, 2025 graduate Meredith and rising senior Mia.

“Coming back this year with more depth and more kids and more experience, we felt like we could probably get a little bit farther,” Coach Huzjak said.

Meredith also recognized the development of the team in its second season.

“For me and other players, since getting to know how the game works, we were able to create much more complex plays and really get a better understanding of when to run what kind of offenses and defenses,” she said.

Flag football competed each Sunday over a six-week season that culminated in a 16-team playoff weekend with teams throughout the Pittsburgh region. Coach Huzjak successfully campaigned to have the playoffs and semifinals/finals on different days for the 2025 season, an improvement from the 2024 schedule, in which USC played all postseason games on the same day.

On Saturday, May 17, the Upper St. Clair girls captured their first two victories against Obama Academy and the Ellis School, having to fight back from being down 12-0 against Obama to win 21-20 in the final seconds. Those wins advanced USC to the semifinals and championship games at Highmark Stadium the next day, which were aired live on KDKA+.

Sunday, May 18 started with another amazing win from the USC girls, beating the Shaler Area team, and moving on to face the two-time defending champions, Moon Area. But just when you thought the girls would be stopped, they pulled out an incredible 12-0 victory against Moon to win the championship. Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and former quarterback Charlie Batch led the trophy and medal presentation ceremony with the Pittsburgh skyline as a backdrop to a perfect day.

Coach Huzjak envisions flag football as another opportunity for female athletes to compete and make connections within their school and community.

“I hope girls flag football continues to grow and more girls continue to play, and it continues to get field time and resources like any other sport would. That’s our vision for it,” he said.

This upcoming 2026 season will be the start of something bigger and better for girls flag football across Pennsylvania. In September 2024, the PIAA voted to officially sanction the sport – making way for eventual WPIAL and PIAA championships.

Coach Huzjak believes it will have a positive impact on the community.

“Football is such a big part of our culture every Sunday, especially here in Pittsburgh with the Steelers,” he said. “Allowing girls to have the opportunity to play and learn in a similar way that the boys do is only fair and just the right thing to do.”

Flag football has done more than just add another trophy for the trophy case. The camaraderie and connectedness have made a difference for the team members.

“We all come from different friend groups and grades, but flag football has brought us all together,” Meredith said.

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This article was written by USCHS rising sophomore Claire Birmingham, an active member of Student Council, the Speech & Debate team, the school’s gifted education program, girls basketball team, and flag football team. Claire is considering a future career in the marketing or communications field.