Lompoc third-year girls flag football coach Ashley Coelho has been one of the main drivers when it comes to promoting the fast-growing sport, on the Central Coast and in the CIF Central Section.

Coelho is happy the number of Central Coast teams keeps growing. Lompoc was the first Central Coast school to add girls flag football, in 2023 when flag football became recognized as a CIF sport.

Righetti and Santa Ynez are slated to field their first respective girls flag football teams for the 2025 season. Cabrillo, Pioneer Valley and Santa Maria added the sport last year. 

“I’m pretty thrilled with the addition of the new teams,” said Coelho.

“I’m going to be really pushing for the Fresno and Bakersfield area schools to add the sport for next year. We were one team short of having enough (Central Section) teams to have CIF playoffs this year.”

Coelho said girls flag football teams this year will play under several new rules.

“There will be punting this year,” said Coelho. “That adds special teams to the sport. That’s really exciting.”

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Quarterbacks will be less limited, but so will the defenses they’ll face.

“Quarterbacks can run unlimited times now,” said Coelho. “(Opposing) rushers no longer have to start from seven yards back. They can be right at the line of scrimmage.

“Kids can run, jump and dive. They couldn’t before.”

Coelho said, “It’s still a non-contact sport, but kids can set basketball-type screens.” The third-year Lompoc coach said the changes will make for a more dynamic sport.

As it is, flag football is pass-heavy. With the new rules, “We hope to add more rushing to the game,” Coelho said.      Â