Since fielding its first team in 2021, Pope High School flag football has done what it set out to do – and more.

The Greyhounds have won three straight state championships and have finished in the Top 15 of MaxPreps’ national rankings in each of those seasons. But 2026 brings a new challenge for Kevin Fraser – one of the country’s most decorated flag football coaches.

“This year is a little unique because we have so many new faces,” Fraser said. “We graduated eight seniors from last year's team, which is the most since we started the program. We have a lot of new faces in big-time roles. But I'm excited because I think we're really talented and we have a lot of depth, so we're able to move people around. This is by far the youngest team we've had, but they're extremely coachable, which has been fun. We’ve got great kids and they've really bonded so far. I’m just excited to coach them and see what their ceiling can be.”

The existing ceiling at Pope has been nothing less than raising a banner and hoisting a trophy at Mercedes-Benz Stadium each December. The Greyhounds are 72-7 since the start of the 2023 season, earning state title wins over Allatoona, Pace Academy and most recently McEachern last year.

And while many of the recognizable faces from the Pope dynasty are graduated, Fraser’s team returns a nucleus of veterans and first-year starters ready to continue the program’s winning pedigree.

“There are a lot of new faces that if you followed us, you're not going to recognize quite yet, but they're all athletic and coachable,” Fraser said. “We do have two prominent seniors, Kourtney Kalman – who's probably going to play D1 flag in college – and Elizabeth Kelly. (Elizabeth) is being recruited in soccer and flag football. Those two are leaders that have been in the program. They know me and know our team and how we do things, and they're able to help lead those newer faces. They've done a great job, and they're great kids. Whenever your leaders are good people, it's exciting.”

Wide receiver Talley Schuver was a contributor as a freshman last season and will be joined by freshman quarterback Ariel Weathers. Ella Nixon is a junior linebacker back from a defense that allowed just over a touchdown per game last year. 

Generally speaking, it takes more than just having phenomenal athletes – which Pope has had – to build a winning program. Fraser will be the first to tell you that the overwhelming success that he and the Greyhounds have enjoyed goes far beyond route-running and flag pulls.

“Just the buy-in from not only our athletes but our parents, the school, our booster club, it’s been amazing,” Fraser said. “We have a great culture that really feels like we're all connected. And a lot of that comes from our parents. But I've also got a great coaching staff around me that really loves to work and loves to win. We work hard, but we have a lot of fun doing it. And then I think our players have just fallen in love with the sport and are having fun playing it.”

As for the goal of defending the three-peat, Fraser will test his players early and often in the non-region slate. After a season-opening trip to Alabama, Pope has dates with Pace, Lithia Springs and McEachern.

“We play Central High School (Phenix City, Ala.), who I would have said was the best team in the nation last year,” Fraser added. “That'll be an incredible test, and our girls are excited about that opportunity. I think that's going to give us a good view of where we are and what we need to continue to work on. It's cool to get to play a team like that to start your season. We did put together a pretty brutal schedule because of the new ranking system, so we're trying to play the best in Georgia and I think we're going to do that. Hopefully that'll prepare us well. We're excited to just take it a game at a time and keep learning and growing as we go.”

Pope enters the 2026 season as one of three GHSA schools with three or more state championships, joining Greenbrier (three) and Southeast Bulloch (four).