P-CEP athletes’ reaction to varsity flag football launch: LET’S GO!!
Pictured (l-r) are Jordin Harper, Derek Hoffman, Charley Lindstrom and Giana Jourdannais.
In an otherwise deserted second-floor Plymouth High School hallway Wednesday afternoon, three Plymouth-Canton Educational Park athletes provided a sneak preview of the P-CEP girls varsity flag football program that will be launched beginning in the spring of 2026.
Taking a shotgun snap from Plymouth senior/center Giana Jourdonnais, Salem senior QB Charlie Lindstrom launched an 8-yard dart to Plymouth senior receiver Jordin Harper, who easily snagged the spiral before softly throwing down a mock TD spike.
Throughout the 10-second impromptu play, all three girls were smiling broadly — an indication of their anticipation for their pioneering performances coming soon to football fields beginning in March.
Looking on like a proud father was the P-CEP Prowlers’ Associate Head Coach Derek Hoffman (the offensive line coach for Plymouth’s varsity football team), who will coach the first-year team with Canton Head Football Coach Eric Newton.
Revved up for next-level football!
While all three girls enjoyed their time last spring playing in the annual P-CEP juniors-vs.-seniors powder puff game, playing in regulation games against other schools has them all fired up.
“I’m so excited,” said Lindstrom, a standout for Salem’s softball team. “The powder puff game was fun in how it’s meant to be fun, but I think this will be more serious and include more learning and the incorporation of actual football. Plus, we’ll play real games against other schools.”
(To check out a quick video of three future Prowlers’ running a pass play, click here.)
Harper and Jourdonnais concurred with Lindstrom’s excitement level.
“When powder puff practices would end, I wanted them to keep going because I wanted to keep learning more about football,” Harper said.
“I’m excited to play with my friends, like Charlie and Jordin,” Jourdonnais added. “We all like football. I’m glad we can take it to the next level while still having fun with each other.”
Jourdonnais added the addition of girls flag football as a varsity club sport has an even deeper meaning.
Sport is exploding in popularity
“I feel it’s a great step toward women empowerment and equality,” she said. “Girls can do just as much as boys can do, and sometimes they do it better. This is one of those times.”
The father of two young daughters, Hoffman said being a coach for the inaugural P-CEP girls flag football team feels fitting.
“High school flag football for girls is exploding and I’m honored to be a part of it,” Hoffman said. “Flag football for women and men will be an official sport at the 2028 Olympics, so it’s amazing that these young girls may someday be able to win a gold medal for their country.”
Starting with just four teams in 2023, the Michigan High School Flag Football League grew to 24 teams in 2024 before reaching 41 participating schools in 2025.
Chris Fritzsching, Executive Director of Football Education for the Detroit Lions, told Channel 4 last year that the girls flag football momentum in Michigan is growing every day.
“We have over 60 schools that are interested already in playing for 2026,” Fritzsching said. “With the exposure happening here, we hope it’s going to grow further.”
Ford Field awaits
The Final Four teams in 2026 will get an opportunity to play the state semifinals and finals at Ford Field, the home of the Detroit Lions.
Hoffman said Canton High School Athletic Director Tiffany Roberts deserves a ton of credit for getting the ball rolling for the P-CEP team.
“Tiffany was involved in starting a program like this at her former school, Flint Carman Ainsworth, so her expertise in this has been invaluable,” Hoffman said.
Roberts, Hoffman and Newton met for close to two hours earlier this month to chisel out spring flag football practice schedules that would accommodate athletes who compete in spring sports.
With a little help from AI, they also developed a cool nickname and mascot — the Prowlers.
No conflicts expected
Flag football teams play four regular-season games. The schedule is expected to be released in early 2026.
The teams with the best records advance to the playoffs.
Jourdannais, Harper and Lindstrom all agreed that the way practices and games are set up (games will be played on Sundays), flag football shouldn’t interfere with their spring sports.
“When I played powder puff last year, my softball coaches were very understanding and the practices and games didn’t interfere,” Lindstrom said. “They were excited I was playing.”
“Along with playing high school volleyball, I also play club volleyball once the high school season is over, so I haven’t been able to try other sports,” Jourdannais added. “Since this is my senior year and the club volleyball season is shorter, I’ll finally get to play another sport along with volleyball. It’s exciting.”
As student-section leaders for Plymouth, Harper and Jourdannais have seen Hoffman’s coaching enthusiasm up close, which only heightens their anticipation to play for him.
“Giana and I see his passion for football during the games,” Harper said. “We can’t wait to see him carry that energy over to the girls’ team.”
Parents excited, too!
All three athletes said their parents are excited about their daughters’ new gridiron adventure.
“My dad (Jon) is so hyped I’m playing football,” Jourdannais said. “I played a little bit when I was 8, but I gave it up for volleyball. My mom is excited, too. She just doesn’t want me to get hurt.”
Hoffman added that contact in flag football is minimal, limiting the number of injuries.
“Jordin will make sure there’s at least a little contact,” Lindstrom quipped.
All three athletes and their associate coach laughed heartily at Lindstrom’s remark — another sign that the spring of 2026 can’t get here soon enough for members of the P-CEP Prowlers.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
