October 6, 2025—High school sports are experiencing a remarkable resurgence both nationally and in Cobb County, with participation numbers reaching record highs and climbing.
According to recent data from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), more than 8.2 million high school students participated in athletics nationwide during the 2024–25 school year—an increase of nearly 200,000 students from the previous year. These numbers signal a strong return to and renewed enthusiasm for school-based sports.
The national trend is also mirrored in Cobb Schools, which now boasts nearly 13,000 student-athletes, the highest number in District history.
"Since the pandemic, we’ve seen an incredible increase in athletic participation,” said Don Baker, Cobb's Director of Athletics. "More kids are coming out for sports—and, just as importantly, they’re staying with it. That tells us they’re having fun, building relationships, and learning valuable life lessons through their involvement."
New Sports, New Energy
Baker attributes part of this growth to the introduction of new athletic opportunities, particularly esports and flag football—two rapidly expanding programs that have captured students’ interest and broadened the definition of what it means to be an athlete.
"When you introduce a new sport, you naturally get an immediate surge of interest," he pointed out. "But the sustained growth we’re seeing in these programs is what’s really exciting."
Esports, which began with only five Cobb high schools two years ago, now includes 11 schools—a 43% increase in participation.
"We’ve doubled the number of schools offering esports in just one year, and we expect that momentum to continue," Baker explained.
Meanwhile, flag football has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation. Over the last five years, participation has jumped nearly 400% nationally and Cobb’s numbers reflect that same increase. Initially, Cobb had seven schools and roughly 115 players. Last year, that number grew to 15 high schools and 464 athletes. This year, all 16 high schools are fielding teams, with more than 500 girls expected to participate.
Cobb teams have already made their mark on the sport, with multiple state championships and a growing reputation for excellence.
"We’ve built a name for ourselves in flag football in a very short time,” Baker said proudly. "This speaks volumes about both the quality of our coaches and the dedication of our student-athletes."
Another rapidly growing sport for Cobb is girls' wrestling. The District has seen a 366% increase since GHSA split it off from boys' wrestling. Beginning with 32 girls five years ago, Cobb now has nearly 200 girls involved with all high schools participating.
A Bright Future for School Athletics
The continued rise in participation highlights the vital role athletics play in students’ overall development by teaching discipline, leadership, and teamwork.
"As numbers grow, it’s clear that students value being part of something larger than themselves. They’re reconnecting with their schools, their peers, and the spirit of competition. That’s what school sports are all about!" Don Baker concluded.
With national and local trends pointing upward, the future of high school athletics in Cobb County looks stronger than ever.
