Pahrump Valley High School is stepping into a new era of athletics this winter with the launch of its first-ever girls’ flag football team, led by Head Coach Jeff Corbett. The addition marks an exciting opportunity for female athletes at PVHS to take to the gridiron in a fast-paced, inclusive, and growing sport that emphasizes strategy, teamwork, and fun.
Coach Corbett has assembled a strong coaching staff that blends football experience with teaching expertise. “We have Coach Rankin, who came over from the boys’ JV football program—he’s been coaching for decades, originally from Ohio,” Corbett said. “Then there’s Coach Jess, who’s joining us from J.G. Johnson. She’s played women’s tackle football as a quarterback for a few years, so she’s going to be huge for us.” Together, the trio brings a balance of technical knowledge and supportive leadership.
Corbett is hopeful for a large turnout, hoping around 45 to 50 girls will come out for the team. With games played seven-on-seven, only about a dozen players are needed for a full roster, but he’s aiming to build depth across multiple levels. “If I have 14 girls on a team, we’ll be good. Even if I could get 12, okay,” he said. “I’m praying we get enough for Varsity, JV, and B teams.”
The upcoming season will officially begin with an assessment and skills combine on Saturday, November 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “After that, from 1 to about 2:30, we’re going to teach the girls who don’t know yet how to play football,” Corbett said. “We want everyone to feel comfortable and learn the basics.” He added that cuts aren’t expected this year, with the focus instead on evaluating skill levels to determine which players fit best on each team. “I would love to have as many girls come out as they want to,” he said. “Even if they haven’t played a sport before—if they’re willing to learn and try, they’ll surprise us and themselves.”
Games this season will be shorter than traditional football, with 12-minute quarters for varsity and 8-minute quarters for JV and B teams. “They shortened the time a bit since games are being stopped more frequently,” Corbett explained. “We’ll be done within about an hour.”
In preparation for the season, the team held a successful fundraiser during the Fall Festival, raising $2,200 through a 50-50 raffle—money that will go directly toward equipment and player needs. “It was incredible,” Corbett said. “The winner donated their share back to the team, so the girls got the full amount. The funds will help us buy things like cleats, ball bags, and extra equipment the district budget doesn’t cover.” He’s also hoping to purchase tote bags for the players to help them stay organized and take pride in their new program.
As for what new players can expect, Corbett describes flag football as “an organized backyard football game.” He explained, “It’s seven-on-seven, on a shorter and narrower field. There’s no tackling—just flags. There aren’t many restrictions on formations other than the quarterback needing to be two yards off the line of scrimmage. We’re going to try things, have fun, and figure out what works.”
Corbett believes the sport is about much more than competition—it’s about building confidence, teamwork, and community among PVHS students. “We have an elementary teacher and a SPED teacher on staff—both with the patience of saints,” he said with a laugh. “So as long as the girls are willing to try, we’re willing to work with them.”
For those still on the fence about joining, Corbett had a simple message: “Come out. Even if you’ve never played before, just come try. If you have the will to learn and can laugh at yourself while figuring it out, you’ll fit right in.”
The PVHS girls’ flag football team’s first practices begin this month, and the excitement around campus is already building. With a dedicated coaching staff, strong community support, and an eager group of student-athletes ready to make history, this inaugural season is set to be a memorable one.
