LOS ANGELES — Last fall, girl’s flag football debuted as an official high school sport in California. Now in its second year, the sport is truly taking off and teams like the Eagle Rock High School Eagles are building on the success of last season. They’re led by Haylee Weatherspoon, who scored 41 touchdowns last season.

Weatherspoon explained why people may underestimate the girls who play flag football. 

“I don’t think they think it’s as physical as it really is. We’re starting to get flags, fighting to get the ball. Like if you’re on defense or pushing people, even if you’re not purposely trying to shove people, it’s going to happen whether you like it or not,” she said.

Eagle Rock High School senior Marysol Jernigan shared how watching football when she was little helped foster her love for the sport. 

“I definitely watched a lot of football, Saturdays and Sundays, both college and NFL with my dad. I honestly wasn’t a big cartoony person, more sports person, just as a little kid. It’s always been one of my favorite sports,” Jernigan said.

Some team members, like senior Alina Albuja, played basketball before joining Eagle Rock’s girls’ flag football team. While most team members were unfamiliar with the sport at the beginning, they picked it up quickly. 

Head coach Julie Wilkins discussed how she wants to inspire her team members through the game.

“My personal mission is empowering females. To use sport to get stronger mentally, emotionally, physically and emotionally. They also have a sisterhood, to know that somebody is supporting you through high school. So hopefully, what they can take from that is, we can empower other females. We can build each other up instead of tearing each other down. Teenage years are really tough for girls, and this is an opportunity for them to toughen each other up and use sport as a challenge, challenge each other, but be there for each other when things are hard,” Wilkins shared.

Weatherspoon spoke about her hopes for the team this season and her dreams after high school. 

“I’m hoping that we do really well. I’m hoping that everybody continues to develop a skill so that the team can continue to flourish and grow even after us seniors are gone,” she said. “I hope to play football in college and make it to the women’s national team. Hopefully, I’m going to try and make it to the 2028 Olympics...It’s a lot of time for me to continue to grow. So hopefully I get a lot better.” 

Watch the full interview above.

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