The Northwood Girls Flag Football team won the inaugural CIF Southern Section Division II championship game against Trabuco Hills with a score of 31-17, making Northwood the first ever D2 SS title winners in girls flag football history.
After securing second place in the league with a season record of 11-3, the team advanced to the CIF playoffs. The team was led by D2 Coach of the Year Harry Lee throughout the league season, while coach Mike Stewart stepped up to guide the team to victory in CIF. Quarterback junior Natalie Keith was recognized as the season’s D2 Most Valuable Player.
“They played so hard and were so coachable,” Stewart said. “This is the first year of CIF ever for girls flag football and they’re the champs. They made history.”
Northwood entered halftime leading the game 13-9. By the final buzzer, Keith threw a total of 5 touchdown passes, with star receivers sophomore Hailey Brennan and senior Elisa Kung catching each one. Northwood held Trabuco Hills in check on defense, limiting them to just 8 points in the second half, with outside linebacker senior Sailor Kensrue contributing with several key stops.
Northwood’s victory was made possible by a dominant season of many wins and growth. The team developed as the rules of the game are becoming more definitive than they were the year prior, which was the first year of girls flag football being a CIF sport.
“A lot of our teammates come from different sports, so it’s interesting to observe other players’ strengths that they bring from their main sport,” safety sophomore Rebekah Welch said. “We mostly stuck with our main sports in the beginning but as the year progressed, we all started coming together in flag football and eventually developed a separate identity here.”
This team unity was reinforced by constant communication and encouragement during their games.
“The team dynamic has definitely gotten stronger over time,” cornerback senior Audrey Xu said. “Even though the game is fast paced, we make sure to shout encouragement like ‘You got this!’ across the field if someone makes mistakes.”
With girls flag football still in its early stages in CIF, there is still potential for progress, including the opportunity to advance to state championships. Stewart anticipates that this structure will be integrated into the girls flag football league in the near future.
As the team looks ahead to next season, players are focused not only on continuing their success but strengthening the bond that made their team special.
“You really don’t need to have much background experience in this sport to join, and that’s not what makes our team so great,” wide receiver junior Noemi Namgoong said. “It’s the team bonding, getting to play with great captains and leaders that makes the sport enjoyable.”
