Badin, the defending state flag football champions, added more hardware to the trophy case and punched its ticket to Canton on May 11.
With a dominant 46-13 win over St. Ursula in the regional title game at Paycor Stadium, Badin won its first regional championship after finishing as runner-up in 2025. The victory capped a three-win day for the Rams, who beat Walnut Hills in the quarterfinals and knocked off top-seed Mount Notre Dame in the semifinals.
With the win, Badin secured the top seed from the south in the first OHSAA flag football state championship on May 16 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Joining the Rams will be semifinalists from Cincinnati: St. Ursula, Princeton, and Mount Notre Dame. Each of the four teams will play a team from the Cleveland Browns regional in the state quarterfinals.
The Rams looked nigh on unstoppable throughout the tournament thanks to a lights-out passing attack and stingy defense. Senior receiver Addi Marshall was named offensive MVP as she broke free for deep touchdown receptions time and time again, making impressive catches and shaking off defenders in open space. Marshall only picked up flag football this season but has already established herself as a force to be reckoned with.
“I never expected something like this to happen,” Marshall said. “This is my first year playing, and it’s honestly a really cool experience. I love the environment.”
Even though Marshall was clearly the fastest player on the field, she sometimes came up a bit hobbled after long runs. She revealed after the title game that she had been playing through a foot injury all day but wanted to give Badin her all. She credited her experience in soccer and basketball for the toughness.
“I just tried not to think about the pain and just keep going through it,” Marshall said. “I play multiple sports, so it’s nothing big for me.”
After advancing to the regional semifinals, Badin secured its spot in the inaugural Ohio High School Athletic Association state championships. However, the team wanted more than just a chance to defend its state title.
Head coach Mike Sebastian said winning at Paycor Stadium was a special moment for both the team and himself.
“You kind of get a little emotional. These girls, I’ve been with a lot of them since October and you go through so much together,” Sebastian said. “Then you come out here and they bust their butts here and I just love what they’re doing.”
Marshall said she has extra motivation to come out on top in Canton.
“I went to state in soccer and, unfortunately, we didn’t win, so I’m hoping to pull out a state victory before leaving high school.”
The Enquirer will update this story.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Which 3 flag football teams will join regional champ Badin at state?
Reporting by Chase Souder, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
