Class is now in session at Grossmont College.
The subject: Women’s Flag Football 101.
It’s the newest sport on the block and expanding rapidly.
It’s already carved out a niche at the high school level with 10 East County schools competing in sanctioned play. Steele Canyon (Grossmont Hills League) and El Capitan (Grossmont Valley League) won league titles during the 2025 fall season.
A new professional women’s flag football league is set for an inaugural all-star tour this summer with franchises in each of Southern California’s eight counties, San Diego County included. Full league launch is set for May 2027.
The National Football League sponsors youth flag football competitions at the grassroots level.
Men’s and women’s flag football is to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
“It’s an emerging sport,” Grossmont College coach Eboni Chambers said.
The sport has transcended the high school level and is now being embraced at the collegiate level. About 65 NCAA schools are offering women’s flag football either as a club or varsity sport.
The Lady Griffins are in their first year of existence as are the Southwestern College Lady Jaguars. The Pacific Coast Athletic Conference is expected to vote on formally adding women’s flag football to the full interscholastic lineup.
Grossmont College ventured to Southwestern College last Friday for a non-sanctioned game. The visitors left with their first win of the season, 18-7, over the Lady Jags to up their modest record to 1-3-1.
The Lady Griffins received touchdowns from quarterback Niyobie McGraw, Aubrey Zerkle and Leslie Carolina Osuna (interception return).
Chambers said 20 ladies turned out for the team. “It was definitely a surprise,” Chambers said. “We were hopeful for around 10 or 12.
“Everyone at the college is very sympathetic to us and excited now that we got our first win.”
Grossmont is expected to host Southwestern College in a return match before the season is over.
