Forty-two years after USA TODAY Sports first released the Super 25 high school football rankings, a new chapter steps into the spotlight.

Girls flag football.

The game has steadily progressed over the past few years, with 13 states officially sanctioning the sport at the high school level—Pennsylvania becoming the most recent—with other state associations currently in a pilot program.

Overall, participation has increased by 105% since the 2022 season kicked off.

Seven of the sanctioned states currently play during the fall season, which will comprise the inaugural Super 25 rankings.

How were the girls flag football teams selected?

In partnership with the NFL and NFHS Network, a USA TODAY Network selection committee of editors and writers in the participating states, along with the USA TODAY High School Sports staff, determined the teams.

Live Stream Flag Football on NFHS Network

The process considered factors ranging from last year’s data/results and carryover into this season, plus 2024 records.

How a team currently ranks in a specific state ultimately helps shape the top 25

So, without further ado, here is the opening USA TODAY Sports girls flag football Super 25 for the fall season, with the defending 6A Arizona state champ taking the top spot.

USA TODAY Sports Super 25 Girls Flag Football Rankings – records updated as of Sept. 19, 2024

1. Mountain View (Mesa, Ariz.)

Record: 1-0

Arizona State Ranking: 1

2. Orange Lutheran (Calif.)

Record: 15-0

California State Ranking: 1

3. Pope (Marietta, Ga.)

Record: 0-0 (26-2 in 2023; GHSA Division 3 state champs)

Georgia State Ranking: 1

4. The Classical Academy (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

Record: 7-0

Colorado State Ranking: 1

5. Central (Phenix City)

Record: 5-0

Alabama State Ranking: 1

6. Taft (Chicago, Ill.)

Record: 11-1

Illinois State Ranking: 1

7. South Anchorage (Alaska)

Record: 8-1

Alaska State Ranking: 1

8. Southeast Bulloch (Brooklet, Ga.)

Record: 0-0 (23-0 in 2023; GHSA Division I state champs (third consecutive); 62-0 in three seasons)

Georgia State Ranking: 2

9. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)

Record: 1-0

Arizona State Ranking: 2

10. Saint Joseph (Lakewood, Calif.)

Record: 11-0

California State Ranking: 2

11. Lakes (Lake Villa, Ill.)

Record: 12-0

Illinois State Ranking: 2

12. Willowbrook (Villa Park, Ill.)

Record: 14-2

Illinois State Ranking: 3

13. West Anchorage (Alaska)

Record: 8-2

Alaska State Ranking: 2

14. Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)

Record: 9-0

Colorado State Ranking: 2

15. Corona del Mar (Newport Beach, Calif.)

Record: 10-3

California State Ranking: 3

16. Greenbrier (Evans, Ga.)

Record: 0-0 (19-1 in 2023; GHSA Division 2 state champs)

Georgia State Ranking: 3

17. Red Mountain (Mesa, Ariz.)

Record: 1-0

Arizona State Ranking: 3

18. Vestavia Hills (Ala.)

Record: 8-1

Alabama State Ranking: 3

19. ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)

Record: 8-2

Colorado State Ranking: 3

20. Classical Academy (Escondido, Calif.)

Record: 12-1

California State Ranking: 4

21. Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village)

Record: 7-1

Colorado State Ranking: 4

22. Marana (Tucson, Ariz.)

Record: 1-0

Arizona State Ranking: 4

23. Prattville (Ala.)

Record: 5-2

Alabama State Ranking: 2

24. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)

Record: 4-0

California State Ranking: 5

25. Wenonah High School (Ala.)

Record: 2-0

Alabama State Ranking: 4

USA TODAY Network selection committee: Will Cheney, CCJ Coastal South Region; Logan Stanley, Reporter at The Arizona Republic; Tommy Deas, CCJ Sports Director; Lauren Jennings, CCJ West Region; Dan Spears, CCJ Deputy Sports Strategist; Rick Suter, USA TODAY HSS.

Note: We occasionally recommend interesting products, services, and gaming opportunities. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Mountain View opens as No. 1 in Super 25 girls flag football rankings