Forty-six flag teams, many with quickly organized, short schedules, played a total of about 325 games in the inaugural 2023 season. The 2024 season, with 72 teams and a potential full schedule of 20 in the regular season, plus two dozen playoff jousts, the total should surpass 700 games. The schedule continues to grow.
Most of the 26 new squads are from North County, including all 5 from Poway Unified (Del Norte, Poway, Mt Carmel, Rancho Bernardo, Westview). Other added large schools include Carlsbad, Escondido, La Costa Canyon, Mission Hills, San Marcos, Oceanside, Ramona, and Vista.
See the Flag Teams page for a complete list of San Diego Section entries.
CIF-RELATED ISSUES
Now 24 versus 20 minutes per half and a 7-second passing clock; if ball is not thrown or touched by another player, the play is dead. As previous, no blocking downfield, only behind the line-of-scrimmage, and really just ‘obstructing’ since no contact is allowed. It’s up to the defender to avoid a stationary ‘blocker’. Similarly, a ‘tackler’ cannot obstruct a runner to grab a flag. The most allowed contact is some hand-fighting for a pass.
Full CIF Rules here, with 2024 changes and clarifications highlighted in red. The rule book is more than 10 pages.
With more games and a possible short officiating crew issue, a solution is multiple games per day, per site with multiple teams. Last weekend a showcase of 5 games with 10 teams, in one long day, demonstrated this ‘tournament’ style plan.
To date, most league affiliations are unpublished beyond the 3 listed below. Division (I, II, or more) groupings also are unavailable.
Playoffs begin November 11, with the local champions crowned 11/21-23. No mention of further regional playoff participation.
CONFERENCES, AS OF AUG. 22, 2024
Avocado: Carlsbad, El Camino, La Costa Canyon, Mission Hills, San Dieguito, San Marcos
Palomar: Canyon Crest, Del Norte, Mt Carmel, Oceanside, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Westview
Valley: Escondido, Ramona, Rancho Buena Vista, Sage Creek, San Pasqual, Vista
Henrik Jonson, Web Master
Rick, Football is here and underway as of last week! Although I live and officiate in the Southern Section, mostly in the Corona-Riverside-Temecula areas, I follow your site closely. Last week, I offstarted with 2 flag FB and 1 traditional FB game. This week I have 4 flag and 1 traditional.
As we old officials say, “This is the fastest eleven weeks of the year!” Thank you for your great
articles. Carroll.
Thanks, Carroll. They have been noting a shortage of officials here. That being said, hurrah for flag football.