photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Campers line up to run a play during the final day of Free State's flag football camp at Free State High School on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Lawrence.

Amid the music, whistles, celebrations and, eventually, a slip-n-slide, Free State’s flag and tackle football teams spent four days this week as ambassadors for football.

Free State held a flag football camp from Monday to Thursday that consisted of hour-and-a-half sessions for two youth age groups each day. Flag football coach Adam Barmann and tackle football coach Kevin Stewart coached the girls and boys, respectively, until the final day included some co-ed scrimmages.

“We’re hoping to continue doing this with our guys football program,” Barmann said. “Being able to do this together brings more visibility to it. If you have siblings, you can bring them to the same camp. Hopefully this becomes something we can do every July.”

Thirty flag football players were at the camp helping out, as were a number of members of the Free State football team. Stewart led his Firebirds and coached more general football drills, while Barmann and his crew of Firebirds focused on more specific flag football drills.

“It’s been really cool to have the guys and girls out here to try and build this football program,” Barmann said. “There’s a lot of excitement out here for the sport. There’s space for everyone. We’re excited moving forward.”

Representatives from Lawrence Youth Football were in attendance for the final day to encourage kids at the camp to play football. As the flag football program grows, Barmann said it’s important to keep close connections with both the youth programs and added that the Firebirds’ large freshman class is a testament to the LYF’s flag football program.

“There’s a lot going on with our youth programs,” Barmann said.

The members of the Free State flag football team took on the roles of local ambassadors for their sport, not just for their Free State team. Most of the flag football team are two- or three-sport athletes, and even if flag football isn’t their main sport, it has become important to be a part of the sport’s rise locally and nationally.

“I want to make a difference in all of these young girls’ lives and let them see that football is cool,” said Sarai Preston, who also is on the Free State softball and girls basketball teams. “It’s football. It’s fun, and girls should be a part of it. I’m glad that it is — I just wish I were 2 years younger and I could keep playing for longer.”

Quinlynn Vail, the rising sophomore who led Free State at quarterback last season, also started refereeing local flag football games and noticed a lot of familiar faces at the Free State camp. Seeing the sport’s growth has been rewarding for the young program leader.

“It’s fun to see them come out,” Vail said. “I’ve had girls come up to me and say, ‘You’re the quarterback!’ and beg to play catch with me. That’s been really cool. I love it as a leader and the quarterback.”

This will be Free State’s second year as a team and the first time competing as a KSHSAA-sanctioned sport. A year ago, the Firebirds didn’t have a team, and players and coaches alike had a lot to learn about flag football.

But this year is much different. The Firebirds have an understanding of what the sport is like and how to win games. Now, they’ve turned up the intensity of practices and have greater expectations for what this season will look like.

The team has been practicing twice a week over the summer and hitting the weight room. After an unexpectedly deep playoff run last year, the Firebirds are excited to compete for a state championship this fall.

“We’re definitely going to go for that state championship,” Preston said. “Hopefully we can get there. We were really close last year when it wasn’t even official. I’m hoping with new faces showing up and more talent and getting more comfortable that we have a good shot this year.”

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Campers line up before a play during the final day of Free State’s flag football camp at Free State High School on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State Firebirds prepare the slip-n-slide during the final day of Free State’s flag football camp at Free State High School on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State Firebirds from the flag football team dive onto the slip-n-slide during the final day of Free State’s flag football camp at Free State High School on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State Firebirds on the flag football team dive into the slip-n-slide during the final day of Free State’s flag football camp at Free State High School on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

A camper spikes the football after scoring a touchdown during the final day of Free State’s flag football camp at Free State High School on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State flag football coach Adam Barmann calls campers to midfield during the final day of Free State’s flag football camp at Free State High School on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Members of Free State’s football team help run the flag football camp at Free State High School on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Campers take a break from the sun during the final day of Free State’s flag football camp at Free State High School on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State coach Adam Barmann, right, talks with a player during the final day of Free State’s flag football camp at Free State High School on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Lawrence.