Latest news with #MakenaCook
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
There could be a shift in how girls' flag football is played
Makena Cook made a name for herself as Orange Lutheran High's deep-ball throwing quarterback. She led the Lancers to a Southern Section Division 1 flag football championship, clinching the title with a pass and ending the season with a 6,611 total passing yards. In the first two years of CIF-sanctioned girls' flag football, Orange Lutheran coach Kristen Sherman crafted a pass-heavy offensive scheme that has helped bring eyes to the sport in Southern California. Now, Sherman might have to refocus her playbook as the National Federation of State High School Associations builds its first standardized nationwide rulebook. Advertisement Brian Seymour, the CIF's associate executive director, confirmed to The Times that new rules, such as the defensive rush line moving from seven yards off the line of scrimmage to one yard as well as the introduction of special teams, will "potentially" be part of the new rulebook. An NFHS spokesperson declined to comment on specific rule changes for the forthcoming rulebook, which is scheduled for release in late May. "It's one of the fastest-growing sports now across the country, and when we get sports that are played by multiple states, it works out better if everybody's playing from the same set of rules,' Seymour said. Sherman believes the rule changes, which she says Southern California coaches have not had enough of a say in, will entirely change how teams play — pushing their style toward that of other states such as New York, which moved to a one-yard rush line last year. Sherman said the rule will probably force more short passes and run plays. 'Prior to the snap, a legal rusher may be lined up anywhere along the rush line that is set 7 yards from the LOS,' reads the CIF 2024 girls' flag football playbook. In 2023, girls' flag football played under a three-yard rush line. Narbonne's Faith Ugoje spins out of a tackle during a win over King/Drew in the City Section Division I title game last season. (Steve Galluzzo / For The Times) 'You're gonna have to get rid of the ball extra fast if you have a girl one yard off,' Birmingham coach Jim Rose said. Advertisement The change of play in New York has created more defense-oriented games while forcing new offensive strategy. For example, as the Times Union in Albany reported, a game between Albany High and Burnt Hills-Ballston on April 3 ended with a 8-0 final score. A year ago, under the seven-yard rush rule, those same teams played to a 56-43 finish. 'It changes some of the excitement of the game and the ability to see what those girls can do with their arms and with a downfield passing attack,' Sherman said. 'From that standpoint, it's a little bit disappointing to not showcase these girls in the way that I think they should be showcased.' Added Sherman: 'I still believe we have one of the best quarterbacks in the country and she'll adapt to the rule changes, just like the rest of the team will. It takes away from some of the excitement of these girls that have been working hard to show the way that they can push the ball vertical, just like any boys' team could.' Seymour, who noted that every year the rulebook is discussed and adjusted by a committee, said the standardized rulebook could allow for interstate games — such as when Las Vegas Bishop Gorman plays against Mater Dei — on the girls' flag football level. Advertisement 'It begins to align states, and kind of gives every state a voice that offers flag football similar to all the other sports that are offered throughout the country,' said Seymour, adding that this is the first rulebook the NFHS has created since 1999, when cheer was implemented nationwide. Receiver Kaiya Cooke runs for a first down in Ventura's win over Agoura in a Southern Section Division 1 playoff game last season. (Steve Galluzzo / For The Times) Across the first two years of girls' flag football in California, special teams have been nonexistent. Teams start a possession at their 20-yard line — and when a team punts, there's no kicking. The officials place the ball back at the other 20-yard line. For extra points, instead of kicking, teams have the option of attempting to score from the five-yard line (one point) or the 10-yard line (two points). Advertisement "We're gonna have some punting, which is good because it's another element where a different skill set is required, which may open up another roster spot for someone that does that skill set fairly well,' Seymour said. Sherman, like Seymour, said she sees special teams as an opportunity to get more players on the field — adding that it creates game time for 'girls who can't find another spot on the field.' In the girls' flag football ranks in California, many of the athletes play two sports, one of which is soccer in the winter. Rose, who led Birmingham to a 13-1-1 record a year ago, isn't thrilled with the potential addition of special teams. He calls it 'a terrible idea.' 'Special teams in high school [boys'] football, half the time, aren't very good,' he said, adding that they'll have to dedicate further practice time to teach a new aspect of the game on top of the upcoming rule changes. 'So how are you going to want to incorporate special teams with the girls? I think that will also cause scoring to go down.' Advertisement Going forward, Sherman said she'd like to see better communication from state officials as well as the creation of a girls' flag football coaches association to help push through feedback at the national level. 'I think feeling like we have an ability to get a group together that has a voice in the room to be able to weigh in on these kind of things going forward,' Sherman said. 'It would make everybody feel a lot better about changes coming up." Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
There could be a shift in how girls' flag football is played
Makena Cook made a name for herself as Orange Lutheran High's deep-ball throwing quarterback. She led the Lancers to a Southern Section Division 1 flag football championship, clinching the title with a pass and ending the season with a 6,611 total passing yards. In the first two years of CIF-sanctioned girls' flag football, Orange Lutheran coach Kristen Sherman crafted a pass-heavy offensive scheme that has helped bring eyes to the sport in Southern California. Now, Sherman might have to refocus her playbook as the National Federation of State High School Associations builds its first standardized nationwide rulebook. Brian Seymour, the CIF's associate executive director, confirmed to The Times that new rules, such as the defensive rush line moving from seven yards off the line of scrimmage to one yard as well as the introduction of special teams, will 'potentially' be part of the new rulebook. An NFHS spokesperson declined to comment on specific rule changes for the forthcoming rulebook, which is scheduled for release in late May. 'It's one of the fastest-growing sports now across the country, and when we get sports that are played by multiple states, it works out better if everybody's playing from the same set of rules,' Seymour said. Sherman believes the rule changes, which she says Southern California coaches have not had enough of a say in, will entirely change how teams play — pushing their style toward that of other states such as New York, which moved to a one-yard rush line last year. Sherman said the rule will probably force more short passes and run plays. 'Prior to the snap, a legal rusher may be lined up anywhere along the rush line that is set 7 yards from the LOS,' reads the CIF 2024 girls' flag football playbook. In 2023, girls' flag football played under a three-yard rush line. Narbonne's Faith Ugoje spins out of a tackle during a win over King/Drew in the City Section Division I title game last season. 'You're gonna have to get rid of the ball extra fast if you have a girl one yard off,' Birmingham coach Jim Rose said. The change of play in New York has created more defense-oriented games while forcing new offensive strategy. For example, as the Times Union in Albany reported, a game between Albany High and Burnt Hills-Ballston on April 3 ended with a 8-0 final score. A year ago, under the seven-yard rush rule, those same teams played to a 56-43 finish. 'It changes some of the excitement of the game and the ability to see what those girls can do with their arms and with a downfield passing attack,' Sherman said. 'From that standpoint, it's a little bit disappointing to not showcase these girls in the way that I think they should be showcased.' Added Sherman: 'I still believe we have one of the best quarterbacks in the country and she'll adapt to the rule changes, just like the rest of the team will. It takes away from some of the excitement of these girls that have been working hard to show the way that they can push the ball vertical, just like any boys' team could.' Seymour, who noted that every year the rulebook is discussed and adjusted by a committee, said the standardized rulebook could allow for interstate games — such as when Las Vegas Bishop Gorman plays against Mater Dei — on the girls' flag football level. 'It begins to align states, and kind of gives every state a voice that offers flag football similar to all the other sports that are offered throughout the country,' said Seymour, adding that this is the first rulebook the NFHS has created since 1999, when cheer was implemented nationwide. Receiver Kaiya Cooke runs for a first down in Ventura's win over Agoura in a Southern Section Division 1 playoff game last season. Across the first two years of girls' flag football in California, special teams have been nonexistent. Teams start a possession at their 20-yard line — and when a team punts, there's no kicking. The officials place the ball back at the other 20-yard line. For extra points, instead of kicking, teams have the option of attempting to score from the five-yard line (one point) or the 10-yard line (two points). 'We're gonna have some punting, which is good because it's another element where a different skill set is required, which may open up another roster spot for someone that does that skill set fairly well,' Seymour said. Sherman, like Seymour, said she sees special teams as an opportunity to get more players on the field — adding that it creates game time for 'girls who can't find another spot on the field.' In the girls' flag football ranks in California, many of the athletes play two sports, one of which is soccer in the winter. Rose, who led Birmingham to a 13-1-1 record a year ago, isn't thrilled with the potential addition of special teams. He calls it 'a terrible idea.' 'Special teams in high school [boys'] football, half the time, aren't very good,' he said, adding that they'll have to dedicate further practice time to teach a new aspect of the game on top of the upcoming rule changes. 'So how are you going to want to incorporate special teams with the girls? I think that will also cause scoring to go down.' Going forward, Sherman said she'd like to see better communication from state officials as well as the creation of a girls' flag football coaches association to help push through feedback at the national level. 'I think feeling like we have an ability to get a group together that has a voice in the room to be able to weigh in on these kind of things going forward,' Sherman said. 'It would make everybody feel a lot better about changes coming up.'
NBC Sports
14-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
U.S. Star Makena Cook talks Passion and Vision for Flag Football's Growth
Makena Cook, a high school sophomore from Costa Mesa, CA, has witnessed firsthand the rapid growth of flag football. What began as a spontaneous decision to join an all-boys team during recess has quickly turned into the journey of a rising star. Cook's impressive achievements include competing on the U.S. 15U Junior National Team, helping the squad earn back-to-back gold medals at the Jr. International Cup in 2023 and 2024. Her success is a testament to the explosive growth of flag football, but Cook's dream is to continue to break down barriers and build for the next generation. 'By the time I graduate high school, I want to see flag football as a D1 sport everywhere,' Cook says. 'I want every college to have it. I want it to be all over the map —everyone's talking about it, everyone's watching it. It's everywhere. That's the goal.' In the interview below, Makena discusses her journey to the sport, her excitement for flag football's debut at the LA 2028 Games, which NFL quarterbacks inspire her, and much more. Mary Omatiga, *This interview has been edited for length and clarity. I read that you have always had a super high level of athleticism. You asked for a pull-up bar when you were six years old. You've done all of the sports — soccer, track, Ninja Warrior training, basketball. So tell me, how did you end up in flag football? Makena Cook: From just playing every sport and seeing my brother playing, I figured if [the sport] was going to be an option, I might as well just have fun and try something [new]. Can you share the story of how you got recruited to play on the Boys Flag Football team? Cook: We were at recess one time, and I was playing soccer. One of the boys threw the ball over, and when I threw it back to them, they said, 'Why don't you come play with us?' and I started from there. What was your experience like playing for an all-boys team? Cook: It was a little bit hard, but you get used to it after a while. At first, it was an adjustment, especially coming from playing with all girls and from soccer. But it was fun. I was friends with most of them too, so that was nice. Is there a specific moment where you really fell in love with flag football? Do you have a specific memory that comes to mind that day? Cook: I don't know if I have one specifically for flag football, but with football in general, it's from watching the Super Bowls with my family and all of my neighbors. Seeing the atmosphere and being with everyone while watching the game is just really fun. I think that's when I fell in love with football. HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA - AUGUST 09: Makena Cook, left, of Orange Lutheran throws passes during a pre-game warmup for a girls flag football scrimmage game against Marina at Marina High School in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. Girls flag football is an official CIF sport this coming school year. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images) MediaNews Group via Getty Images Did you ever imagine that you could be competing at the highest level of football at that time? Cook: Playing football has always been a dream of mine. It's always something that I've loved doing and enjoyed watching. Being a part of it was always something I wanted to do. What do you love about flag football, and what has the sport taught you about yourself and about life in general? Cook: I think it's the structure of the game, but also the freeness of the game. There are routes and plays, but anything can happen during the game. There are so many different plays. You might run a slant, but you can turn that slant into a 50-yard touchdown. The flow of the game is just way different. In soccer, you're playing the entire time but in flag football, you stop, and there are different downs. Those differences make it super fun. Last season, you were featured in the NFL Kickoff commercial 'This is Football Country'. In the behind-the-scenes video that was posted, you ended with some very powerful words. When they asked you what advice you wanted to give to the next generation, you said, 'The barriers will break down, and you just have to keep dreaming.' What are some of the barriers that you faced in flag football, and how have you seen them come down? Cook: Dealing with the people who say, 'She's a girl, so she can't play football,' and then going out there and throwing and having them say, 'Whoa, she can do that?' The stereotypical comments like, 'You throw like a girl' or 'She can't do it.' There are already natural barriers against women in sports, period — not just in flag football. I think if we keep breaking down those barriers and keep building for the next generation, there won't be any of those barriers left. You got to play for the U.S 15U Junior National Team for the last two seasons. Tell me about your experience last summer at the Junior International Cup. Cook: It was so much fun! In the dorms, we stayed with all the different countries together and that was just so cool. Some of us didn't speak the same language, so we used Google Translate to talk to each other. I've always just played against people within the country, but to be able to play against people from around the world was just so cool and really special. Makena's Instagram Did having that taste and experience give you any extra motivation for the LA 2028 Games? Cook: Yes! That's definitely a big dream for me, and I'm going to keep working towards that. Did you grow up watching the Olympics as a kid? Cook: Oh yeah, every single Olympics was a big deal in our house. It was so much to watch. It's a one-of-a-kind moment and something you always dream about. Did you ever think that flag football would be an Olympic sport? Cook: No, I didn't. When I was little, I always dreamed about playing soccer in the Olympics, but now that it's flag football, it's a whole new world, and it's amazing! I'm so excited! What has it been like having the people closest to you supporting you and pushing you towards the dream, especially when you said there were so many barriers set up at the time? Cook: It means a lot. Sometimes, I would come home and be really upset about how people were treating me, but the support at home — being able to talk to my mom and having my brother encourage me and help me get better at football — all helped me. Leaning on my village was really helpful. Who are some other members of your flag football village? Cook: All of my coaches, all of the USA [staff], and all of my club are too many people to thank, but they all support me and help me chase my dream, so I'm really thankful for them. Are there any members on the senior national team that you look up to? Cook: All of them, honestly. Being able to be in the juniors and watch them practice sometimes was just so cool. That could be me in a couple of years so that's really exciting! Who are the quarterbacks that you love to watch? Cook: Patrick Mahomes — he does things that no one else can do. Obviously, Tom Brady — all the championships he's won and his leadership. There are so many quarterbacks. Lamar Jackson — watching him run and trying to emulate his moves. All the quarterbacks, every single time I'm watching an NFL game, I pay attention to what they do and try to copy it. Some of those players you mentioned are global ambassadors for flag football and have vocalized their support for the game. What does it mean to you when you get to hear that? Cook: That means so much! Being able to know that they see us and support us just gives me an extra boost of energy. It makes me think 'Okay, we can do this.' You're only a sophomore in high school, and you are quickly rising in the sport. Where would you like to see flag football go by the time that you graduate high school? Cook: By the time I graduate high school, I want to see flag football as a D1 sport everywhere. I want every college to have it. I want it to be all over the map —everyone's talking about it, everyone's watching it. It's everywhere. That's the goal.
