Marin Catholic's first-year girls flag football team takes the field at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, on Ghilotti Field in Kentfield for what the school's athletic department called its “maiden voyage” through MCAL and CIF North Coast Section competition.
The Wildcats enter Monday's game at 5-6 overall after an opening stretch that produced the program's first wins and several emerging playmakers.
Monday also marks the debut of #RoarCore, Marin Catholic's new student cheering section for flag football, according to the athletic department's post on X.
Marin Catholic announced Aug. 22 that its new flag football program had officially started. Nine MCAL schools field girls flag football teams this fall, including San Rafael High and Terra Linda High.
Freshman quarterback Kiana Haney has led the offense in recent games. In a Monday, Sept. 28, win over Tamalpais, Haney went 5 for 9 for 70 yards and two touchdowns, both to receiver Thalia Morales. Morales caught four passes for 55 yards in that game.
The defense has been just as central. Brooklyn Stewart made the game-saving stop against Tam, and Mila Whorton recorded eight flag pulls and an interception. JoJo Ronzone added three sacks, and Josseline Bat returned two interceptions, the last with three minutes left, the Marin Independent Journal reported.
The Wildcats' first program victory came earlier in September against Galileo. Charlotte Bogan scored two touchdowns to spark a comeback from a 15-0 deficit, and Whorton returned an interception for the go-ahead score in a 19-15 win.
Not every outing has gone smoothly. A shorthanded squad lost 50-0 to Cardinal Newman on Sept. 18.
Marin Catholic's arrival in girls flag football reflects a national surge. The sport topped 102,360 participants in 2025-26, a 48.7 percent jump in one year, according to the NFHS participation survey reported by MaxPreps.
MCAL playoffs begin with a play-in game, if needed, Thursday, Oct. 15, followed by semifinals Monday, Oct. 19, and the championship Wednesday, Oct. 21. Four schools qualify. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students, children and seniors.
