Editor’s Note: This is a part of the Big Sky Sun Journal’s 2026 April Fool’s Day coverage. This is meant to be purposeful, humorous misinformation. 

On Wednesday morning, Big Sky revealed plans to launch its first ever boys flag football team, with competition officially starting on the same day. 

According to school officials, the new team will not only mark a major expansion of the athletics program, but will also compete directly against the existing girls flag football teams, creating a fully integrated league that administrators are calling “a new era of competition.”

Head coach Aaron Fortner, who was named to lead the team, expressed enthusiasm about the program’s unique structure.

“This is something that we’ve been thinking about for a while,” Fortner said. “Flag football has been growing fast, and so giving boys the opportunity to compete–especially in a co-ed, competitive format–just makes sense. We’re excited to see how it all plays out.”

Athletic staff stated that practices will begin immediately, with the first official games scheduled for April 2. Spectators are encouraged to attend and support what the school is calling a “historic kickoff.”

To learn more about the flag football team click here.