A group of high school senior girls from both Santa Cruz and Monterey counties are set to compete in the inaugural Central Coast Flag Football All-Star Game this weekend.
Jazzy Doubek, Claire Skinner, Soraya Westlund and Taylor Wilson will represent Scotts Valley—the reigning Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League champions—as members on Team North (Santa Cruz County). They will square off against Team South (Monterey County) at Santa Cruz High School on Sunday, Jan. 26.
The festivities kick off with a skills competition at 1pm, followed by the game at 2pm. The event was brought to life by both the Reggie Stephens Foundation and Gino Panelli Foundation.
Stephens, a Santa Cruz High alum and former NFLer, is also the founder of a boys’ basketball all-star game that features top seniors competing one last time on the court. He had the same idea for girls’ flag football players, including some who attend his Sunday practice sessions.
“I was training kids and they were talking about [flag football],” Stephens said. “I said, ‘How about an all-star game?’ and they all just smiled.”
The game itself will feature new rule changes. Stephens said they will utilize the entire length of the football field—100 yards—as opposed to the traditional, more narrow 80-yard field the girls are accustomed to.
A championship trophy is at stake, and a Most Valuable Player trophy will be awarded to the top player from each team. Participants in the skills competition have a chance to win gift certificates.
St. Francis head coach Frank Galvan is in charge of Team North. He will have help from Soquel coach Eric Kirby and Santa Cruz coach Andy Morris.
“I was very surprised but very pleased and honored to be picked as the head coach of the North,” said Galvan, who has 20-plus years of coaching flag football. “I think that speaks a lot of what we have accomplished as a team, but also what I have accomplished as a coach for two years at St. Francis.”
Galvan led the Sharks to a league title with a perfect 18-0 record in the Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division in 2024. They have a combined 41-6 overall record since the sport’s inaugural season in 2023.
Stephens, a Scotts Valley football assistant coach and hall of fame inductee, said he picked Galvan because he’s simply the best and knows how to prepare the kids come gameday. And also because Stephens wanted to make sure they got someone who represented a Watsonville area that deserves more shine and support.
“So many times everything is so Santa Cruz driven,” said Stephens, who is a Santa Cruz High and Cabrillo College alum. “I got my hands in Watsonville and Pajaro, even with my Sunday sessions. I have kids from all backgrounds that come…. That’s important to me.”
Team South is led by Hollister coach Jose Perez, North Monterey County coach Mike Phillips and Alisal coach Marisol Rasul.
Stephens received major help from Gino Panelli Foundation representative Joel Domhoff, who put together the rosters and coaching staff. He’s also bringing in both the local FOX affiliate station and Community Television of Santa Cruz to broadcast the game.
“Without [Domhoff’s] support, I don’t know if this thing would have got off the ground,” Stephens said.
Stephens is excited about having Starter, a popular sportswear company, sponsor the all-star apparel. The players will receive a jersey with their names on the back along with a hoodie and T-shirt. A nice piece of memorabilia to show off down the road.
“Later on, they’re gonna look at that uniform, maybe tell their daughters or sons, I was an all-star in flag football,” Stephens said. “And then we’ll see where flag football is going to be in 10 years.”
Flag football, along with squash, will debut in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. After an explosion of participation in high school, Stephens believes flag football will reach the collegiate level soon enough. And that’s when they can begin working on getting the youngsters some scholarships.
For the non-seniors who couldn’t play in the game, Stephens set up student-athletes with broadcasting duties, such as conducting interviews on the sideline with cameras and microphones.
“We’re teaching these kids how to be commentators, don’t be so shy,” Stephens said. “Be a part of the sport as a female in many different ways than just being a player.”
Central Coast Flag Football All-Star Game
When: Sunday, Jan. 26, at 1pm
Where: Santa Cruz High School, 415 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz
Cost: $5 per person. Free for middle and high school students with student ID.
Central Coast Flag Football All-Star Rosters
Team North (Reggie Stephens Foundation)
Izzy Graff, Aptos, DB/RB
Mia Sanchez, Aptos, DB
Juliet Ray, Harbor, WR/DB
Mia Guardino, St. Francis, CT
Malia Cooper, Santa Cruz, LB/CT
Kat Fanni, Santa Cruz, WR/DB
Hayden Mandell, Santa Cruz, RB/DB
Jazzy Doubek, Scotts Valley, LB
Claire Skinner, Scotts Valley, DE/WR
Soraya Westlund, Scotts Valley, DB
Taylor Wilson, Scotts Valley, WR
Siena Bettermann, Soquel, DB/WR
Ashlyn Brady, Soquel, WR
Chloe McGilvray, Soquel, WR/S
Trinity Wilson, Soquel, RB/DB
Fernanda Lazo, Watsonville, QB/SS
Brianna Leon, Watsonville, LB/WR
Team South (Gino Panelli Foundation)
Jasmine Estrada, Alisal QB
Aileen Gonzalez, Alisal, DB
Mia Briano, Hollister, DE
Bianca Guerra, Hollister, LB/WR/RB
Jasayla Mariscal, Hollister WR
Jazmin Rubio, Hollister, CT
Samantha Muniz, King City, LB/WR
Yesenia Rodriguez, King City, DB
Piper Gallego, North Monterey County, WR
Bryley Pemberton, North Monterey County, DE
Peyton Phillips, North Monterey County, CT
Ashley Torres, North Monterey County, DB
Isa Valadez, North Monterey County, RB
Allison Guerra, Palma, QB
