Flag football leagues are on the rise in the U.S., and this fall will mark the first season for the Stars Flag Football Program in Mt. Orab.
By Wade Linville – 
Sign-ups are underway for the Stars Flag Football Program in Mt. Orab for boys and girls in grades kindergarten through sixth. The next sign-up will take place from 1-3p.m. July 15 in the Western Brown High School Community Room.
A final sign-up will take place Aug. 5. The seven-week season of games will begin later in August.
The idea to start a flag football program in Mt. Orab stemmed from Western Brown High School’s current wrestling coach and former junior high football coach, Wendel Donathan, and Western Brown junior high football and wrestling coach, Aaron Chase.
Players involved in the flag football program will get the opportunity to lean the basic fundamental skills of football while having fun.
You don’t have to be from the Western Brown Local School District to play in the new flag football program in Mt. Orab. The program welcomes any youth player K-6 of Brown County and surrounding areas.
“We’re trying to get any boy or girl who wants to play flag football. We don’t care if they already play tackle football or fall soccer, it doesn’t matter. We just want the kids to have fun,” said Donathan.
Growing concerns over concussions and other types of injuries in youth football have many parents across the United States turning to flag football in order for their children to learn the basic football skills. But there are many reasons other than safety to participate in the sport of flag football. The sport is typically fast-paced, fun, and challenging; a sport known for keeping young players on their toes in game formats such as seven-on-seven or even five-on-five. The game speed and non-injury aspects certainly make flag football an appealing alternative to tackle football.
“There are a couple of reasons we wanted to start a flag football program. One was to provide the community and the area with something else for kids to do,” said Donathan. “Our motto is, ‘It’s just for fun’.”
The cost is $50 per player (equipment included) with discounts available for multiple siblings signing up to play.
Games will be played on the Western Brown campus.
“We’re going to make it simple. It’s a seven-week season that starts in August and will be done by the time of the (Brown County) Fair. Each team will play one game a week,” Donathan explained. “Flag football is the fastest growing youth sport in America right now, and we’re just trying to jump the gun in this area and get something started,” said Donathan. “We’re excited!”