There was no easing into girls flag football for Merced Union High School District schools when girls flag football was introduced as a CIF sport in 2023. All six high schools were on board from the start and have watched as the sport has exploded. The Sac-Joaquin Section watched the number of high school flag football teams almost double from 69 to 130 teams from the first year to the second year. There are 136 teams competing this season in the section.

 

“Girls flag football has been so popular in our area right from the start because it provides an exciting new opportunity for female athletes to compete in a fast-growing sport,” said Atwater coach Capri Abassi. “The community has embraced it because it’s inclusive, fun, and allows girls to showcase their athleticism, teamwork, and leadership in a game that’s both competitive and enjoyable.”

 

Merced High opens the season with a tournament that has grown to 20 teams from only nine teams this first. It’s become an all day event with food vendors and music. The players find a way to have fun in between games by creating Tik-Tok dances. “Flag football is still something new and a lot of girls try it and they end up loving it,” said Atwater senior Saige Harcksen. “I have so much fun. I’m a big team person so the team aspect is so fun.”

 

Bears coach Vic Nazario says it took only a couple weeks to fill up his tournament field. “I probably get around 10 emails from teams after we are full,” Nazario said. “This year it was nice to get a team from the Tahoe area and also Sacramento.”

 

MUHSD teams have also enjoyed success early with Merced and Atwater both making runs in the playoffs to the semifinals. Livingston started last season 28-0 in a run to the section championship before falling to Del Campo 37-34 in a very competitive final. Coaches say the game is improving as girls are getting more familiar with the sport. “The majority of the girls didn't know what routes were or even the names of the positions on the field,” Nazario said. “Now these same girls have locked in and now we have the opportunity to develop them further. At this point they really understand the game which really produces some great exciting games to watch.”

 

The Central California Conference race should be exciting with Atwater, Merced and El Capitan all expected to challenge for the title and both Golden Valley and Buhach Colony improved this year. “The CCC conference is shaping up to be very competitive, with every team continuing to improve as the sport grows,” Abassi said. “Each program brings its own strengths, and that makes every game exciting. Rather than pointing to one or two teams, I’d say the real challenge will be the overall balance of the conference — on any given night, anyone can be tough to beat.”

 

Here’s a look at all six MUHSD teams: Current records according to MaxPreps in parenthesis. 

Atwater (6-2) – The Falcons went a perfect 10-0 during conference play to win a second consecutive CCC championship last season and have compiled a 38-11-1 record in the first two years of the program. Atwater will once again be one of the favorites in the CCC with third-year quarterback Madi Hiler returning. Harcksen and Riley Leonardo return as receiving targets. All three players played on the Falcons girls basketball team that won a section championship this past year. Kaylee Gunnin, Natalia Melgoza and Mckel Nairn also return. Atwater is currently ranked No. 13 in the Sac-Joaquin Section by MaxPreps.

Buhach Colony (6-1) – The Thunder are off to a nice start, including a 3-0 performance at Merced High’s Kickoff Classic. The Thunder will be led offensively by captains Emily Gallegos, Lesli Gutierrez, and Angie Rojo. Gallegos hauled in 54 catches for 1,193 yards and 22 touchdowns last year. Gutierrez will start at quarterback and gives the Thunder a dual threat. Ryen Cardoso, Anya Gieling,Julissa Duran and Dayanna Lara will all be contributors on defense.

El Capitan (8-1) – The Gauchos have a new head coach in Juan Valdovino. They have two elite weapons at receiver with Mady Dietz and Avnoor Bains and are currently ranked No. 8 in the Sac-Joaquin Section early in the season by MaxPreps. Dietz has caught 29 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns and Bains has hauled in 28 receptions for 257 yards and six touchdowns. Senior quarterback Aaliyah Simonian has completed 74 of 102 passes for 605 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Gauchos won their pool at the Merced tournament with a 3-0 record. 

Golden Valley (3-4) – The Cougars also have a new head coach in Daniel Castro. Golden Valley will lean on its trio of captains in Rubi Andrade, Alexis Diaz Garza and Brisia Gonzalez. Andrade is a sophomore linebacker and running back. Diaz Garza is a senior who plays defensive back and receiver and Gonzalez is a senior running back.

Livingston (3-8) – The Wolves were led by senior quarterback Elizabeth Avila last season as she passed for 7,356 yards and 117 touchdowns to go a long with 998 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Livingston returns to key receivers in Tatianna Alvarez, who racked up 132 receptions last year for 2,204 yards and 45 touchdowns. Alexis Ross also returns after finishing with 48 catches for 881 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Merced (9-1) – The Bears are ranked No. 10 in the section by MaxPreps an feature an explosive offense. Antonia Lejarde returns at quarterback and was named the CCC Utility Player of the Year last season. Lejarde will have one of the top receivers to target in Averie Steverson. Seniors Ryann Perez and Bree Pimentel were both all-CCC first-team selections last year. Fellow senior Samantha Barragan was named the CCC Defensive Player of the Year. 

Shawn Jansen is the MUHSD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.