It’s 6:00 a.m. and alarms break the stillness of early morning. Half an hour later, the varsity girls flag football team gathers on Ed Burke field for their Friday morning practice. They are back Monday evening, the day before the big game, lacing up their cleats as the sun dips below the stadium. 

Now, it is game day. The team arrives at school in their game day jerseys, brimming with team spirit in cardinal, black, white or pink. Phones buzz with group chat messages: “Happy game day!” Today is what they’ve been working for. They live for these moments on the field and with each other, always ready for the next big win. 

This fall serves as the second season of girls flag football as a CIF approved sport. After winning their first league game, the team is on track to reach their goal of claiming a league title this season. The number of teams in North County has nearly doubled since last season according to varsity girls flag football head coach and educational specialist, Ryland Wickman. 

“Last year, I had a team of all seniors,” Wickman said. “This year almost all the girls are having their first time playing varsity… they’re getting better each week. We got another good team this year, so I’m excited to see how we finish the season.”

Despite being fairly new, the sport “caught on pretty fast” according to free safety Kate Flynn (11), who has been playing flag football since seventh grade. Many players on the team are also multi-sport athletes, which contributes to the team’s close bond.

“I think a lot of people originally did it for fun … and it’s definitely become really competitive already,” Flynn said. “There’s a lot of great athletes that have joined, which has also helped it grow. Because it’s so new, it’s really fun to share it with people and try to get people involved with it.”

Captain and linebacker Grace Livingston (11) felt the excitement surrounding the sport last year. Growing up with four older brothers who played football, she “always wanted to be a part of it,” and played tackle football when she was younger. 

“[Flag football] was definitely well talked about,” Livingston said. “Everyone wanted to play.”

This is the enthusiasm that each player brings to every practice. Most practices start with the team watching film and studying their next opponent. 

“Our coaches do a really good job of explaining what they see and what we need to improve on,” Flynn said.

After a productive film session, they head to the field for dynamic warm ups, then break into two to three different teams based on position to work on fundamentals. They run drills and plays before scrimmaging to wrap up for practice. 

The team works hard during practice, while also spending quality time together off the field. After morning practices, they often meet up at the Del Mar Highlands to grab a drink from Starbucks or a bite from Einstein Bros. Bagels.

“We all get bagels, and we have a great day at school,” Livingston said. 

Music-filled bus rides are another bonding opportunity. As one of the three team braiders, Livingston takes on the task of braiding hair and adding cardinal ribbons to complete the game day look. 

Before taking the field, the atmosphere is alive with positivity and energy.

“Our team is super competitive, super hungry for wins,” Flynn said. “But I think we also have a really good balance of enjoying playing and being excited to just be out there. It’s a fun environment that’s competitive, but in the perfect way.”

Livingston expressed a similar sentiment. 

“It’s definitely super competitive, but that just ties into having that strong mindset and having that strong team chemistry,” Livingston said. “I think we’re all obviously working to be at our best, and to be the best.”

After the game begins, the team supports each other on the field, “pumping each other up” instead of dwelling on mistakes, according to Livingston. With players and coaches keeping morale high even in challenging moments, the team stays focused and determined. 

For the team, losses are opportunities for reflection and improvement. Instead of “fixating on the loss,” they fixate on “striving for the better,” according to Livingston.

“With losses, we always keep our heads up,” Flynn said. 

When they secure a victory, the bus ride home becomes a celebration. However, the game does not end when they step off the field. 

“I definitely often catch myself thinking about what we can all do better as a team and how we can improve,” Livingston said.

The bonds forged on the field have made the game synonymous with fun and positivity for players. From becoming closer to growing in confidence, the team has made leaps and bounds since its inaugural season last fall. 

“We have sophomores, seniors, [players] all across the board,” Wickman said. “The camaraderie and the bond that I’ve seen built with this team is amazing.”

As night falls and the players head home, phones begin to buzz again: “Great game today,” “We played hard,” “We can all work harder.” Tomorrow, they will return to Ed Burke field for another morning practice, ready to tackle the next play together.

“The most rewarding part is the relationships with both the coaches and players,” Flynn said. “Winning and playing and succeeding is great, but the environment is just so awesome and fun — it’s really like a family environment.”