In a season that began in mid-October and ran through early December, nearly 400 local youngsters took part in flag football through the City of Escalon Recreation Department.
There were teams at multiple age divisions and the final games were played at Hogan-Ennis Park on Saturday, Dec. 6, under cloudy skies and chilly conditions.
“The City has seen consistent growth in its youth sports programs over the last two-plus years,” said City Manager Jaylen French. “Notably – and timely – is the large increase in female flag football players.”
Girls flag football is now a league sport for Escalon High School, with EHS fielding both a JV and varsity team. The rec league can help prepare girls for the next level of competition in the sport.
“We went from 24 girls in 2023 to 74 girls in 2024, to 102 girls in 2025,” French said.
Total registration in 2023 was 263 participants, with just 24 of them girls. The 74 girls taking part in 2024 increased the total registration to 341 and this year saw a total of 380 players registered for flag football, including the more than 100 girls.
The only co-ed group for flag football is in the 6U division for five- and six-year-olds.
“In the youngest division, 6U, one coach from each team is allowed on the field to guide their players before and after the snap. Once the play starts, the coach must stay at a safe distance until the play is complete,” French explained.
Age divisions for the separate boys and girls teams are 8U for ages seven and eight; 10U for ages nine and 10; 12U/14U for those from ages 11 to 14.
“For the first time in a while, we have begun accepting sponsors for the Flag Football program. Sponsorships help support the overall program and offset costs to keep registration fees low,” French said of having sponsors for teams this year. “Similar to our soccer program, community sponsors are helping provide uniform shirts and other program needs.”
Sponsors for the recently completed 2025 season included: Advanced Soils, AMP Electric, Beyond Behavior California, C.T. Brayton and Sons, Inc., Diamond V Holsteins, Escalon Feed and Supply, Escalon Small Animal Clinic, Escalon Youth Center, JNVP Law.
Also, Main Street Garage, McManis Family Vineyards, Mendoza AG Services Inc., Nine of Hearts, Orlando’s Market, Quality Service Inc., R & S Dairy, and Thompson Ranch.
The program has also grown since its inception, with 137 participants in 2018, 138 in 2019. After a hiatus during the COVID year of 2020, the program had 171 participants in 2021 and increased to 204 for 2022, so it has continued to show a steady rise in participation.
With a couple of weeks to practice first, teams then played an eight-week regular season.
“At this time, there are no playoffs for Flag Football, but we hope to introduce them in the future as the program grows,” added French.
