‘We’re making history.’ Girl’s flag football scores a touchdown in Merced schools
Merced High School senior Emilia Gomez felt the nerves set in.
Gomez and the Bears defense were backed up against their own end zone in the final seconds of the game, trying to prevent Atwater from a winning touchdown. Gomez saved the game, intercepting a pass to deny the Falcons the victory.
“I saw the ball, and I just went for it,” she said. “I had an interception in our first game so that motivated me to get another one.”
Merced and Atwater finished tied 20-20. The Bears won the tie-breaker and went on to win the championship at Saturday’s Kickoff Classic at Merced High School.
With nine teams participating in Saturday’s tournament, it’s clear there’s excitement surrounding girls flag football.
“I think it’s just going to get bigger and bigger,” said Merced athletic director Paul Hogue. “We have 40-plus girls in the program. It’s been a good turnout, a lot of excitement.”
The California Interscholastic Federation voted unanimously in early February to make girls’ flag football an official high school sport statewide. The Sac-Joaquin Section, the governing body in parts of the Valley for public and private high school sports, added flag football as a new sport this fall.
According to the Section office, there are 70 section schools participating in girls flag football this season. Those 70 schools will be split up into two divisions for playoffs with two championship teams crowned at the end of the year.
“I like that it’s new,” said Merced freshman receiver Averi Steverson. “We’re making history, and so far, we’re undefeated. I think we can go far this season.”
Steverson was one of the many standouts on the field on Saturday, scoring multiple touchdowns.
Flag football isn’t new in the area, Steverson has been playing since her father signed her up in a city league in third grade.
Her father Willie Steverson played quarterback at Merced High School and Merced College. For years, he was assistant coach for Bears head football coach Rob Scheidt for years.
The kids were having a blast.
“I was hoping they would bring flag football to high school,” Averi Steverson said. “I’m excited.”
There will be an adjustment period for coaches, players and referees with some of the subtle differences from tackle football. Coaches were asking referees for clarification on some of the rules during games on Saturday. Even the referees were pulling out note cards to double-check specifics on rules and penalties.
Flag football is played 7-on-7 where every offensive player outside of the quarterback is eligible to catch a downfield pass, even the center that hikes the ball to the quarterback.
Teams must start the game with seven players, but can play with as few as five.
The game is played with two 20-minute halves with a five-minute halftime. The game is played with a running clock until the last two minutes of each half.
Each team will have two timeouts per half.
The playing field has a width of a minimum of 30 yards and a maximum of 40 yards. The length can be 50 to 80 yards with two 10-yard end zones.
No-Run Zones are located five yards from each End Zone and five yards from each line-to-gain.
A play is blown dead when and where an offensive player has her flag pulled or the ball touches the ground. No excessive contact or blocking is allowed. Up to two players can rush the quarterback, but they have to line up seven yards from the line of scrimmage.
Players are not allowed to guard their flag, spin or jump to avoid a defender from pulling their flag.
There are no kickoffs or punts. Possessions begin at the 20-yard line to begin a game or after a score.
On fourth down, the offensive team must declare whether they are “punting” or going for the first down. If they elect to “punt”, the defense will take possession of the football on their 20-yard line. If the offense goes for the first down and does not succeed, the defense will take over where the play was blown dead.
Merced-area teams include Merced, Atwater, Golden Valley, El Capitan, Buhach Colony, Livingston, Los Banos, Pacheco and Mariposa.
Merced, Atwater, Golden Valley, El Capitan, Buhach Colony and Livingston will compete in the Central California Conference with Patterson and Central Valley.
There’s another all-day tournament scheduled on Saturday at Golden Valley.
Many of the athletes are happy for the opportunity to play another sport. Many of the El Capitan girls golf team is also playing flag football. Others are playing volleyball and flag football.
“I didn’t think flag football would come until I graduated so I’m really excited,” Gomez said. “I get to play another sport, and my dad loves football so I’ve always been a big football fan.”
This story was originally published August 22, 2023 at 7:09 PM.
