Flag football: Novato tops Redwood in historic league opener

Seanna Madsen’s senior year at Novato High is da bomb so far and she’s just getting started.

The Hornets’ quarterback threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first MCAL girls flag football game ever played, leading the Hornets to a 19-0 victory over host Redwood on Monday.

“I’m so excited flag football is an MCAL sport,” said Madsen. “I’ve been waiting for it. I get to play QB in MCAL in my senior year and hopefully win for Novato.”

The Hornets (2-2, 1-0 MCAL) have a head start on some league teams since they compiled an impressive 11-7 record last season. The Giants (0-3, 0-1), on the other hand, are a first-year team and didn’t get final approval to launch their program until June.

The Hornets’ experience has them primed to challenge for the inaugural MCAL championship in one of the fastest-growing high school girls sports in the country. The last time Novato won an MCAL title in any girls sport was lacrosse in 2017.

“The sky’s the limit for this team,” said Novato coach Damon Jones. “We know what Novato’s history is. That’s what history is for. History is meant to be rewritten.”

On the first touchdown in MCAL flag football history, Madsen rolled right and found speedy Nabilah Nijem in the end zone for a 6-yard score with 2 minutes, 16 seconds left in the first quarter. The point-after play was denied by the Giants as the Hornets jumped ahead 6-0.

“Getting to throw that first TD pass in MCAL is really cool,” said Madsen. “It is very nice to have played last year — to come in knowing what I’m walking into.”

Madsen struck again just before halftime, sprinting to her left and connecting with Lexie Snyder on an 11-yard score. Redwood stopped the point-after attempt and trailed 12-0 at intermission.

Snyder added the final score of the game in the closing minute on a 15-yard scamper off a pitch from Madsen. Madsen and Ellie Reid connected on the point-after play for the final margin.

“The girls put in a lot of hard work and now they reaped the benefits of it today,” said Jones. “We definitely have a decent core group. These girls love playing with each other.”

The Giants have a fantastic quarterback in freshman Lucy Long, who also hopes to make the Redwood softball team next spring at catcher. She showed off her arm late in the game with a perfect 30-yard spiral to fellow freshman Sam Voiles.

Although Redwood did not have a team last year, Long gained valuable experience playing club flag football.

“It’s a lot of fun to have a new experience,” said Long. “I play softball, so that helps.”

Redwood coach Tyrone Robinson Jr. is very excited about how athletic his players are, especially Long.

“She throws better and harder than I do,” said Robinson. “Her ceiling is really high. The strength is there. Now it’s just a matter of going through the progressions and checking down.”

The Giants came up with several goal-line stands to keep the game close until the final minute thanks to Presley Meyers. Novato’s Lily Melendez had the game’s only interception.

Madsen says flag football is different than other sports since it’s so new. As one of the league teams to watch, the Hornets hope that last year translates to claiming the first MCAL championship contested.

“Experience is very big, but also everyone is new at it,” said Madsen. “There’s a lot less pressure than girls who have been playing basketball since they were 4.”

The Basics

• In its inaugural season, MCAL girls flag football is a six-team league with Novato, Redwood, San Marin, San Rafael, Terra Linda and University (San Francisco).
• The 10-game season runs through Oct. 22, with North Coast Section playoffs starting Oct. 28.
• San Marin and Terra Linda are in their third seasons; Novato and San Rafael started last year; Redwood got approval for its first season in June.
• The field size is 80 yards long, 40 yards wide.
• Lineups are 7-on-7.
• The football must be size 7 (youth or intermediate).
• Players wear one-piece flag belts.
• Games consist of four 12-minute quarters with a running clock; traditional stoppage occurs during the final 2 minutes of each half.
• There’s a 25-second play clock.
• No running plays allowed within 5 yards of the end zone.
• No contact blocking.
• A runner can’t restrict access to her flag with any part of her body.
• Wearing a mouthpiece/guard is mandatory.
• No kicking points. For extra points after a touchdown, teams can opt for a 1-point play from the 5-yard line or a 2-point play from the 10-yard line.
• There are four downs per series, requiring a team to move the ball into new zones, which are 20 yards apart. By moving the ball into a new zone via a play or accepting a defensive penalty, a team gets four more downs.