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High school girls flag football continues to explode in popularity, both locally and nationally, but changes to the rules have come with mixed reaction.

California has adopted the new National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rulebook, which includes the introduction of punting, blocking anywhere downfield and a shorter rush distance for the player who is allowed to blitz the quarterback.

Alameda coach Michael Lee, whose team won the first North Coast Section girls flag football championship last fall, is not a fan of the changes.

“NFHS took a safer game and made it more physical,” Lee told the Bay Area News Group. “The blocking or screening is not really a football move. You have girls who basically come flying off the hike one yard off, and the only thing you can do is have a girl stand in front and take it.”

Lee added, “The rules say that the defender should go around, but it doesn’t usually happen like that. Often, it is a judgement call by the referees. In different games, it gets called differently. Sometimes that move is an illegal bull rush by the defense. Other times, the offensive player gets called for illegal screening.”

Others say the changes have led to strategic adjustments.

“Everyone’s playbooks have changed to slow rushers down and give the quarterback time,” Alhambra coach Dan Reed said.

Sacred Heart Prep coach Dennis O’Malley added, “It has enabled more opportunities for run plays and has led to creative short passing options. Punting and punt returns have been an exciting addition this year as well.”

Lee also voiced concern about the addition of punting, noting that it allows for more high-speed contact.

“In the first two years of flag football, we only had two concussions – (both) from the same play,” Lee said. “This year already, on two separate incidents, concussions. We had to invest in head gear for the girls.”

Still, the sport continues to see its popularity grow.

According to data provided by the California Interscholastic Federation, participation was up 84% across the state last year, the second season in which girls flag football was a sanctioned CIF sport.

The NCS will expand its playoffs to two divisions this fall, and the Central Coast Section is joining the party for the first time. CCS commissioner Dave Grissom told BANG that the section will have four playoff divisions – Open and three divisions (I, II and III) based on enrollment.

“CCS playoffs add legitimacy to the sport,” O’Malley said. “It provides a goal to shoot for, and it will be exciting to see the best programs play each other at the end of the year.”

Reed praised the addition of a second NCS division, adding that it will give smaller schools more of an opportunity to compete.

Could Northern California regional championships and eventual state finals be on the horizon? Bay Area coaches can see it coming very quickly.

“With a standard rule base, it could happen next year,” O’Malley said. “Already, we are seeing some preseason NorCal-SoCal matchups early in the year, and I expect there to be momentum for a state championship soon.”

“I imagine once every section has a section championship with multiple divisions, there could be a next level,” Lee said. “I can’t wait.”

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The CIF is adding state championships for high school soccer starting this school year and a location has been selected for the finals.

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Natomas High School in Sacramento will host all boys and girls state soccer championship games on March 13-14, CIF spokesperson Rebecca Brutlag confirmed to BANG.

Last season, Mountain View, Sacred Heart Prep, Piedmont and St. Francis won NorCal titles and would have advanced to a state final.

Whichever Bay Area teams manage to make it this school year will get the chance to find out how they stack up against the best teams from the south.