In a thrilling game on Wednesday night in Woodland, two Yolo County teams showcased the rise of girls’ flag football as an up-and-coming high school sport in California. The Pioneer High School girls team, in their second season, hosted River City High School for the Raiders’ first-ever game. River City Coach Francise Harrell expressed excitement at the growth of opportunities for female athletes to showcase their skills in the sport.
The sport of girls’ flag football was officially recognized by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) last year, leading to an increase in popularity and participation across the state. River City’s victory over Pioneer highlighted the growth and development of the sport, with more than 50 new high school teams joining the CIF Sac-Joaquin section this season.
Players and parents alike expressed enthusiasm for the sport, with many noting the teamwork and camaraderie that comes with playing football. Pioneer’s head girls flag football coach, Michael Barron, emphasized the valuable lessons that the sport teaches, including how to work as a team and handle adversity.
As the sport continues to gain traction and attract more participants, girls like Salina Huizar and Naomi Navarro are excited about the opportunities it provides to play a sport they love. With the addition of new teams and increased interest in girls’ flag football, the future looks bright for this emerging high school sport in California.
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