Batesburg-Leesville High School is preparing to make history on October 14th as Panther Stadium becomes the site of the inaugural Lake Murray Gnats flag football league opening night, bringing together six area high schools for an evening celebrating the growing opportunities for girls in flag football.
Batesburg-Leesville High School's inaugural flag football team features 22 student-athletes who will represent the Panthers as they take the field for the first time as part of the new regional league. The B-L team is led by Head Coach Erica Gambrell.
The Lake Murray Gnats league brings together Batesburg-Leesville High School, Pelion High School, Chapin High School, Wagener-Salley High School, Irmo High School and Dutch Fork High School, creating a new opportunity for girls from Aiken, Barnwell and Lexington counties to compete in organized flag football.
The Carolina Panthers organization is helping make the launch of the Lake Murray Gnats possible by sponsoring the flag football programs at all six participating high schools. As part of the sponsorship, the Carolina Panthers have provided equipment and a set of Nike uniforms for each participating team, helping schools establish and grow their flag football programs while giving student-athletes the resources they need to compete.
The support is part of the Carolina Panthers' broader commitment to expanding opportunities for girls in flag football throughout the Carolinas. Since 2022, the Carolina Panthers and The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation have worked to expand opportunities for young girls in flag football, committing more than $2.5 million in grants, programming and resources to build programs across North and South Carolina.
Members of the Carolina Panthers staff will be in attendance at Panther Stadium on October 14th as the six schools officially kick off the Lake Murray Gnats season.
Opening Night at Panther Stadium
The evening will begin around 5:30 p.m. with a special introduction for all six participating teams. Each team will have the opportunity to run onto the field through the Carolina Panthers' inflatable Panther head tunnel, giving the student-athletes a memorable entrance as they are introduced in front of their families, friends and fans.
Following the team introductions, the excitement will continue as the athletes take the field for the first games of the inaugural Lake Murray Gnats season. Games will begin at 6:00 p.m., with several games taking place throughout the evening at Panther Stadium.