RIVERSIDE — It was a day Jennifer Constuble has dreamed about for two decades.
Constuble has been involved in the world of flag football since 2003, when she helped organize a league in her community as a positive way to keep kids active. The players were mostly boys when that league started, but Constuble saw more and more girls sign up with each passing year. Constuble eventually had enough players for an all-girls squad that competed against the boys teams.
Centennial’s Alexandra Olmedo #14 celebrates her touchdown catch with Jayleen Hernandez #21 against Santiago during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Norco’s Vyanca Clark #1 runs into Corona’s Sienna Romero #7 on a run during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago’s Maddie Saruwatari #2 fights for yards against Centennial during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago’s Angie David #18 makes the catch as she is hit by Centennial’s Amy Parra #0 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Norco’s Jaylin Young #5 on the line in her pink cleats against Corona during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Centennial’s Savannah Rico #23 pulls the shirt and not the flags of Santiago’s Bella Gomez #1 after the catch during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Corona head coach Jimmie Bowers during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago’s Hailey Cortez #9 is stopped by Centennial’s Herenui Silvey #23 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Norco’s Josie Ray #7 runs for a touchdown after the catch as Corona’s Kayla Celine Ayala #0 defends during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
King’s Jayden Urbina #11 with her pacifier mouth guard pulls the flag of Roosevelt quarterback Angelina Briano #31 after the catch during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Centennials’s Jayleen Hernandez #21 is hit by Santiago’s Josselyn Palacios #15 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Both Corona’s Fia Liaga #15 and Dayami Garza Rosales #13 try to intercept pass intended for Norco’s Isabella Ray #0 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Corona fans celebrate the victory in the stands after the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Centennial Head Coach Sami Logan at halftime against Santiago during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Norco’s Vyanca Clark #1 is stopped by Corona’s Mackenzie Mendenhall #18 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago’s Sarah Sandoval #3 runs after the catch against Centennial during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago celebrates their 25-24 victory over Centennial to win the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago’s Angie David #18 celebrate her touchdown catch with teammates against Centennial during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago’s Hailey Cortez #9 runs into Centennial’s Jaydin Sonora #24 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago’s Angie David #18 celebrate her touchdown catch with Isabella Carty against Centennial during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Corona takes a team picture after defeating Norco 27-24 to win the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Norco’s Alyssa Amend #10 has the pass knocked away by Corona’s Kayla Celine Ayala #0 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago fans cheer after Santiago defeated Centennial in a Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Fans enjoy the Santiago vs. Centennial girls first Big VIII flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Norco’s Josie Ray #7 breaks up a pass intended for Corona’s Fia Liaga #15 in the end zone during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Norco’s Vyanca Clark #1 is stopped by Corona’s Angel Castro #19 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Corona’s Ava Liaga #6 pulls the flag of Norco’s Vyanca Clark #1 on a run during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
King’s Madison Rodriguez #31 avoids Roosevelt defensive back Melanie Khounphachansy #8 after the catch during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt Lotolelei Sivas #50 makes the touchdown catch behind King’s defenders during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Both Corona’s Fia Liaga #15 and Dayami Garza Rosales #13 try to intercept a Norco pass during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Norco’s Camryn Wagner #4 is stopped by Corona’s Kylie Martinez #4 after the catch during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
A Norco Girls flag football fan watches warmups before the game against Corona at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
King’s Mia Alvarez #26 break up a pass intended for Roosevelt’s Angelina Briano #31 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago players try to douse a coach with water after the win over Centennial during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Norco’s Vyanca Clark #1 is stopped by Corona’s Mackenzie Mendenhall #18 during the girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
King’s Breanna Neahr #23 runs after the catch against Roosevelt during the girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
King’s Madison Rodriguez #31 scores after the catch against Roosevelt during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt’s Lotolelei Sivas #50 makes the touchdoown catch against King during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt Lotolelei Sivas #50 make the catch as King’s Mia Alvarez #26 defends during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
King’s Isabella Larmie #77 with her pacifier mouth guard gets of the line against Roosevelt during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
King’s Breanna Neahr #23 runs after the catch and goes eye to eye with Roosevelt defensive back Aliyah Lopez #18 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
King’s Madison Rodriguez #31 intercepts a pass intended for Roosevelt Lotolelei Sivas #50 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
King’s Madison Rodriguez #31 returns an intercept for a touchdown as she avoids Roosevelt Lotolelei Sivas #50 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
King’s Madison Rodriguez #31, left celebrates her touchdown catch with teammate Cheri Thompson #3 against Roosevelt during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt Angelina Lopez #15 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt Lotolelei Sivas #50 scores after the catch as King’s Paige Davis #83 defends during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Corona’s Ava Liaga #6, center and Angel Castro #19 breakup a pass intended for Norco’s Alyssa Amend #10 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago’s Hailey Cortez #9 is stopped by Centennial’s Herenui Silvey #23 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt defensive back Aliyah Lopez #18, linebacker Madison Padron #1 and Jai Lin Salas #23 celebrate a turnover by King during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Norco’s Vyanca Clark #1 is stopped by Corona’s Mackenzie Mendenhall #18 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt wide receiver Natalie Serrano #13 cheers on the sideline against King during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Norco’s Alyssa Amend #10 has the pass knocked away by Corona’s Kayla Celine Ayala #0 during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Norco’s Kyliee Mahood #2 during halftime of the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Corona’s Rianna Rivas #9 and Victoria Aguilar #10 celebrate Corona’s 27-24 victory over Norco after the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt Ava McGowan #40, left celebrates her sack with Roosevelt linebacker Madison Padron #1 against King during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago’s Sarah Sandoval #3 flag is pulled by Centennial’s Jhordan Dyer #5 after the catch during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago’s Maddie Saruwatari #2, center is mobbed by teams after game winning touchdown catch against Centennial during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago’s Sarah Sandoval #3 avoids Centennial defends after the catch during the Girls flag football game at King High School in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
“I come from a time when girls didn’t have the opportunity to play football in any way or form,” Constuble said. “There are a lot of women my age out there who would have loved a chance to play.”
Constuble was among the strong advocates for girls flag football to be added to the roster of sports officially sanctioned by the California Interscholastic Federation. That dream became a reality in February, when the CIF’s Federated Council unanimously approved its addition. Constuble then signed up to become the first girls flag football coach at Roosevelt High School.
More history was made Monday afternoon and evening, when the six teams from the Big VIII League kicked off the inaugural season with a tripleheader at King High School. More than 200 players suited up for these historic games, and they treated curious spectators to a thrilling slate of games.
“This is huge day for me and for every girl who has had dreamed about playing football,” Constuble said. “To finally see this at the high school level and not just as some powder-puff game is a dream come true.
“These aren’t just girls playing football. They are football players now.”
Santiago 25, Centennial 24 (final).
Maddie Saruwatari with the winning TD catch with 3.9 second left. pic.twitter.com/mxte1CTbEy
— Eric-Paul Johnson (@CallMeEPJ) August 22, 2023
Eighteen Inland schools will be fielding girls flag football teams during the inaugural season, but more local schools plan to offer the sport next school year. San Gorgonio athletic director Matt Maeda jumped at the chance to start a program but understands why others are being cautious.
“There are so many unknowns whenever a new sport comes along, and that creates some real challenges,” Maeda said. “Once it was approved and we knew that it was coming, me and my administration met, and we all agreed it would be a disservice not to offer it right from the start. We have a lot of great athletes on our campus, some of them seniors, and this will be their only opportunity to play.
“We played our first games Tuesday, and it was a great experience for everyone who was there.”
The list of coaches is an eclectic one. Some coach other sports at their respective schools, such as Corona’s Jimmie Bowers (wrestling), Norco’s Wade Lockett (track and field) and Mike Boggio (track and field). Sami Logan, who played tackle football for her father, Matt, at Centennial High School, has returned to coach at her alma mater, and her assistants include former Husky greats Robert Webber and Ray Bass.
North’s Kiyoshi Harris is a well-known coach in the tackle football world, including his time at Independence Community College in Kansas, which was featured in the Netflix documentary series “Last Chance U.” On the opposite end of the spectrum is Ramona’s Kelly McAllister, a science teacher who has never coached but has a passion to see the sport launch and grow.
Rusty Bailey, who is a former Mayor of Riverside, heads up the coaching staff at Riverside Poly this season. Bailey took over coaching the school’s boys soccer program last season, and he also decided to coach Poly’s first girls flag football team because his daughter Julia is a senior on the team.
“She helped recruit other soccer players for the team,” Bailey said about his daughter. “I think it’s exciting for everyone to be the first team doing this. You get to set the standard and a legacy for those who will follow.”
Most of the players on the six Big VIII League teams also are standout athletes in other sports. A survey of Inland athletic directors show athletes in soccer, lacrosse, basketball, softball, wrestling and track and field are the ones most likely to sign up for flag football, but there also are a handful of players who are competing in a sport for the first time.
A common theme among the players is a genuine love of football. The sport has created strong bonds within their families, as many have brothers, fathers and other relatives who play or have played football.
“I grew up playing in the yard with all my brothers,” said Santiago junior receiver Maddie Saruwatari, who also is a standout on the school’s soccer team. “It’s something that I always wanted to do, but the opportunity was never there for me. I wasn’t going to pass up on this chance to play.”
Corona senior quarterback Victoria Aguilar echoed those sentiments.
“I have wanted to be on a football team for the longest time,” said Aguilar, who also plays softball and wrestles. “Everybody told me I’d get hurt because I’m a girl, which is fair I guess. Flag football has finally given me a chance to live out my dream. It feels great and this has been an amazing experience.”
The passion for the sport expressed by Saruwatari and Aguilar already has produced memorable moments on the field. Monday’s Big VIII League games were chock-full of highlights and competitive games.
Corona 27, Norco 24 (final).
Victoria Aguilar throws the game-winning touchdown to Ava Liaga with 1:00 left in the game. pic.twitter.com/YnsIWy4WBQ
— Eric-Paul Johnson (@CallMeEPJ) August 22, 2023
Aguilar threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Ava Liaga with 1 minute left on the clock to lift Corona to a 27-24 victory over Norco in the opener. Saruwatari caught the winning pass from Abby White with 3.9 seconds remaining to give Santiago a 25-24 win over Centennial. Roosevelt’s Angelina Briano threw four touchdown passes, three to Lotolelei Sivas, to send Roosevelt to a 27-14 victory over King in the nightcap.
“It was nerve-racking, even a little scary at first,” said Briano, a senior who also wrestles and plays softball. “There really are no words to explain what this moment means to me and everyone else here today… We made history being out here and doing something no one else at our school has ever done before.”
There will be no CIF Southern Section playoffs this season because the total number of teams competing throughout the section fell short of the minimum (20% of member schools) required to hold championships. The three leagues in the Inland area will play games or hold tournaments to determine league champions.
Constuble said she is excited to see the sport expand and become an important part of high school sports.
“I think schools across the board will catch on and see how important this is for the girls, the schools and the entire community,” Constuble said. “The girls playing right now are part of a legacy. In 30 or 40 years, there will be girls playing football who can say, ‘I’m here today because of what my mother helped start.’ “
INLAND GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUES
Big VIII League
Centennial
Corona
King
Norco
Roosevelt
Santiago
Ivy League
Canyon Springs
Moreno Valley
North
Riverside Poly
Valley View
Vista del Lago
River Valley League
Arlington
Hillcrest
Indian Springs
Norte Vista
Ramona
San Gorgonio
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