{"id":309550,"date":"2026-05-10T23:22:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T23:22:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/309550\/"},"modified":"2026-05-10T23:22:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T23:22:26","slug":"golden-state-storm-womens-football-team-features-moms-full-time-workers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/309550\/","title":{"rendered":"Golden State Storm women’s football team features moms, full-time workers"},"content":{"rendered":"

OAKLAND \u2013 Alexis Contreras had the football tucked in her left arm as she was flanked by teammates running beside her at Laney College.<\/p>\n

Would-be tacklers were strewn along the ground behind the wide receiver, and only open grass remained between Contreras and a place in the history book as the first player to ever score a touchdown for the Golden State Storm women\u2019s tackle football team<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And in her ear that day in early April were shouts from her children, encouraging their mom to get into the end zone before jubilating in the stands. Contreras celebrated the milestone score by launching the ball 20 feet in the air.<\/p>\n

\"GoldenGolden State Storm\u2019s Lex Contreras (17) raises her helmet towards fans in celebration during a game against the Oregon Ravens at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was just an amazing feeling. I heard everybody,\u201d Contreras remembered about the moment before breaking out into a smile and adding, \u201cThey had fun, and they celebrated.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Bay Area\u2019s new semi-pro football team has enjoyed a banner first season, playing in front of packed home crowds that cheer for a roster that features a multitude of mothers. They won\u2019t play this Mother\u2019s Day weekend, but the regular season finishes next Sunday in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

While other teams in the Women\u2019s National Football Conference average around 500 spectators<\/a>, the Storm have more than tripled that figure (roughly 1,700) for their three home games, by far the most in the league.<\/p>\n

Balancing careers such as Tesla engineer, public school teacher and security guard, these women have found time to become key players on a team poised to make the playoffs.<\/p>\n

The juggling act is a tricky proposition for players who work full-time jobs, even those whose children are grown.<\/p>\n

Take defensive end Nakisha Harris, whose 21-year-old son Zephyr is attending UC Davis with the goal of eventually graduating from medical school as a doctor. As one of the few players who has experience with tackle football, she fondly recalled when Zephyr was just a kid watching her play for the Sacramento Sirens in the 2000s.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember one time when he was probably 7 or 8, he said \u2018Mom, you\u2019re Superman.\u2019 I was like, \u2019That\u2019s so cute,\u2019 Harris said.<\/p>\n

\"GoldenGolden State Storm\u2019s Nakisha Harris (47) walks on the field during a game against the Oregon Ravens at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nowadays, wearing the same number as her age \u2013 47 \u2013 Harris dominates as a pass rusher even while keeping a busy schedule off the field.<\/p>\n

She teaches full-time at Dublin High and coaches flag football on the side. She usually returns to her Oakland home in the afternoon to recharge before making the long drive to Fairfield for Tuesday and Thursday practices.<\/p>\n

Practice begins at 7 p.m., and Harris doesn\u2019t make it back home until 11 on most nights. Even then, her day is not done.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I take care of my body, so I soak in Epsom salts for at least a half hour after practice,\u201d Harris said. \u201cThen I go to bed and get up and do it all over again.\u201d<\/p>\n

The practices include all of the drills and film study that most levels of tackle football entail. There are 55 players on the Storm roster. They hail from as near as Berkeley and San Jose, to as far as Texas, Georgia and even Mexico.<\/p>\n

Most of the players have experience playing flag football or another sport but are still becoming acquainted with tackle football, which means much of practice is focused on fundamentals.<\/p>\n

\"Golden<\/p>\n

Golden State\u2019s DJ Espinosa (19) warms up before a game against the Oregon Ravens at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Golden<\/p>\n

Golden State Storm\u2019s Lex Contreras (17) catches the ball during warmups before a game against the Oregon Ravens at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Golden<\/p>\n

Golden State Storm\u2019s Lex Contreras (17) catches the ball against Oregon Ravens Amelia Deibler (9) in the first half at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Golden State Storm\u2019s Nakisha Harris (47), Golden State Storm\u2019s DJ Espinosa (19), Golden State Storm\u2019s Paulina Lopez (13) tackle the Oregon Raven\u2019s Sara Cabot (21), Oregon Raven\u2019s Jacque Lopez (1), and Oregon Raven\u2019s Jess Gerdes (37) in the second half at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Golden<\/p>\n

Golden State Storm\u2019s DJ Espinosa (19) faces off against the Oregon Ravens in the first half at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Fans<\/p>\n

Fans cheer for the Golden State Storm at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 6<\/p>\n

Golden State\u2019s DJ Espinosa (19) warms up before a game against the Oregon Ravens at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Given that the workouts are held in the evening, the moms on the team often bring their kids to practice.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome players, because they have kids, say that they think they can\u2019t come. But we welcome that,\u201d said assistant coach Wes Aldana, a mom herself to a teenager. \u201cWe welcome the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

The hard work is paying off, as the Storm have gone 2-1 in home games and 3-2 overall.<\/p>\n

The team is owned by Jake Langner and Brad Grovich, and most involved do so for the love of the sport. All staff and coaches are volunteers. The players don\u2019t make a salary, either, but can generate money through selling tickets and sponsorships.<\/p>\n

\"GoldenGolden State Storm\u2019s Lex Contreras (17) jumps on Golden State Storm\u2019s running back coach K.C. Adams at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Storm pays for all travel and equipment such as pads and jerseys, far exceeding contributions made by other teams in the league.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t have to worry about how we\u2019re gonna get out there and where we\u2019re going to stay,\u201d Aldana said. \u201cEverything is lined up.\u201d<\/p>\n

While on the road, the players can immediately spot the Lake Merritt-sized differences between the Oakland-based team and its competition in the eight-team Western region of the league.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you guys don\u2019t have an ambulance right there,\u201d DJ Espinosa remembered remarking to an opponent in Seattle. \u201cLike that\u2019s such a small thing, but yet, that\u2019s something we didn\u2019t see at one of our other games.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Bay Area team is still trying to find its footing financially, but the players appreciate the front office\u2019s desire to make things feel as big-time as possible, even if the gestures are small.<\/p>\n

\"GoldenGolden State Storm\u2019s DJ Espinosa (19) smiles on the sidelines before a game against the Oregon Ravens at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Espinosa, for instance, travels from Cupertino to practice in Fairfield and games in Oakland. Her son, Joshua, is in grade school and attends games when he can, even those on the road. Afterward, Joshua, his mom and her partner get burgers in nearby Alameda.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best part about this, the part he loves the most, is that he\u2019s a season ticket member,\u201d Espinosa said.<\/p>\n

The Storm\u2019s 14-8 victory over the Oregon Ravens last week was supposed to be the final home game for Joshua and the rest of the season ticket holders, but that might not be the case.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Golden State Storm walk towards the field before a game against the Oregon Ravens at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Golden<\/p>\n

Golden State Storm\u2019s Lex Contreras (17) and Golden State Storm\u2019s Julysil Paycoan (10) yell in a camera before a game against the Oregon Ravens at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"Golden<\/p>\n

Golden State Storm\u2019s Nakisha Harris (47) has her cleat tied by Golden State Storm\u2019s Alyssa Dixon (26) before a game against the Oregon Ravens at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Golden State Storm stands near the bench during a game against the Oregon Ravens at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 4<\/p>\n

The Golden State Storm walk towards the field before a game against the Oregon Ravens at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

The WNFC\u2019s West Coast playoffs are scheduled to be held in Los Angeles in June, and the championship in Texas. However, multiple sources around the Storm said the league could move the playoffs to Oakland after seeing the large crowds at Laney.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a night-and-day sort of experience I\u2019ve had from then to now,\u201d Harris said when asked to compare playing in Sacramento to Oakland. \u201cWe played at a high school before.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the win over Oregon, most players went up to the stands to meet loved ones. While hanging onto the railing of the bleachers for support, Espinosa embraced her family, including Joshua.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe thinks this is the coolest thing ever,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"GoldenGolden State Storm\u2019s DJ Espinosa\u2019s 7-year-old son watches her on the field before a game against the Oregon Ravens at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"OAKLAND \u2013 Alexis Contreras had the football tucked in her left arm as she was flanked by teammates…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":309551,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[389,184,7,332,949,402,181,100,752,143,145,144,182,127],"class_list":["post-309550","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-oakland","tag-alameda-county","tag-bay-area","tag-california","tag-east-bay","tag-football","tag-inside-sports","tag-latest-headlines","tag-news","tag-nfl","tag-oakland","tag-oakland-headlines","tag-oakland-news","tag-pm-report","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/309550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=309550"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/309550\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/309551"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=309550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=309550"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=309550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}