With an undefeated high school dynasty, thanks to a national coach and a high school national championship, Alonso High School is one example of Tampa’s talent.<\/p>\n
TAMPA, Fla. \u2014 Inside the AdventHealth Training Center \u2014 the same facility where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare for NFL Sundays \u2014 high school girls are playing a brand of flag football that has coaches, parents and league officials convinced they are watching the future of American sport<\/a> take shape in real time.<\/p>\n Girls’ flag football is booming.\u00a0<\/p>\n Participation among girls ages 6 to 17 surged 57% nationwide<\/a> over the last decade, according to USA Football research. Among girls ages 6 to 12 specifically, that number jumps to 283% between 2015 and 2024. That growth is highly visible in the Tampa Bay area.<\/p>\n “Tampa, Hillsborough County is as strong a region as anywhere,” said Matthew Hernandez, head coach of Alonso High School’s girls flag football team. “The talent we have here. The talent we have across Florida \u2014 a little bit of a homer, I guess \u2014 but we’re pretty confident that Florida has some of the best athletes in the country and they’re as good as any to set their goals on the Olympics in 2028.”<\/p>\n That is not a distant aspiration. Flag football is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, and Hernandez is positioned at the center of that moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition to leading the Alonso program, which won nationals last year, he serves as an assistant coach for the U.S. National Women’s Flag Football team<\/a>. Hernandez says it’s expected to be a primary pipeline to the eventual U.S. Olympic roster.<\/p>\n His high school team is, at present, among the best in the country. Alonso enters the postseason with a 14-0 record, coming off a national championship a year ago.<\/p>\n Among those national champions is Jaida Almanzar,<\/a> a senior wide receiver, safety and special teams standout who will attend the University of South Florida in the fall. Almanzar plans to continue playing on the club team there.<\/p>\n Her father, Peter Almanzar Sr., struggled to find words on Tuesday, watching his daughter’s trajectory.<\/p>\n “I’m really proud of what she’s accomplished. What they’ve accomplished. Sorry, I’m a little emotional, but it feels good to see your child pursue a dream and accomplish it,” he said. “My daughter is in IB. She has a 6.65 GPA. She’s got it up here, and she’s got it here.”<\/p>\n He added, “Man, that was my little girl involved in this. She has her handprint all over this, and it feels great.”<\/p>\n The sport’s momentum extends well beyond the high school level. At least 11 Division I schools<\/a> have announced plans to sponsor varsity women’s flag football programs by 2028, including Alabama State<\/a> and Mississippi Valley State<\/a>.<\/p>\n