As girls flag football continues to grow across Tennessee, Stone Memorial High School head coach Justin Qualls said he sees the sport as more than just a new opportunity. Qualls said he sees it as something long overdue.
“I think it’s great,” Qualls said. “I think it’s a chance to grow the game and give the girls a chance to play. I think, coaching football, boys tackle football in the past, there’s always been a desire from girls to want to play and this is kind of an outlet to let them do that.”
Qualls brings 16 years of football coaching experience into his new role, including time as a defensive coordinator on the tackle football side. Now, Qualls said he is channeling that background into building a program he believes can sustain success while opening doors for a new group of athletes.
After taking over a team that reached the state championship a season ago, Qualls said he did not waste time establishing an identity.
“We are basing our entire culture over something we call ‘One More,’” Qualls said. “With that mantra, it’s, what are we willing to do, what are we willing to sacrifice to win one more ball game?”
Qualls said the Lady Panthers have fully bought in, embracing both the expectations and the opportunity that comes with competing at a high level under TSSAA rules and regulations.
While his football background provides a foundation, Qualls said flag football presents a different challenge, one that requires constant adjustment.
“In flag football, everything happens so fast cause there’s not an offensive line,” Qualls said. “There’s more pitching, there’s more running game as opposed to downfield passing game. And then defensively, we have come to realize that everybody kind of tries to get the edge on everybody, not a lot of running up the middle cause there’s not an offensive line.”
With speed, spacing and discipline at the forefront, Qualls said he is continuing to adapt his approach while keeping his team focused on its ultimate goal. Now, with a new coach but the same standard, Stone Memorial is aiming a return to the state championship.