It's just about time to kick of the 2026 fall flag football season, and few states are more ready than California. Full of nation-leading teams and top-notch talent, the Golden State has already built up a number of flag football heavyweights itching to get back on the field.
It has, however, been a shaky off-season for some of the state's biggest powerhouses. Orange Lutheran lost national standout quarterback Makena Cook, who made headlines earlier this year for becoming the first woman to receive a Power Four collegiate flag offer, to Sierra Canyon's inaugural flag team, while head coach Kristen Sherman left to coach at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
JSerra Catholic fell victim to a similar fate with their star wide receiver and defensive back Ava
Irwin also transferring to Sierra Canyon, setting up the Trailblazers as an interesting team to watch and the program as one that might build itself into another California powerhouse.
A number of the other usual suspects make up the top block of the preseason rankings, including Huntington Beach, Newport Harbor and Cardinal Newman. Here are the preseason Top 10 California flag football teams:
1. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano)
2025 Record: 28-0
2. Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach)
2025 Record: 25-2
3. Orange Lutheran (Orange)
2025 Record: 24-3
4. Newport Harbor (Newport Beach)
2025 Record: 23-2
5. Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa)
2025 Record: 24-0
6. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth)
2025 Record: N/A
7. Dos Pueblos (Goleta)
2025 Record: 24-3
8. Santa Margarita (Santa Margarita)
2025 Record: 20-8
9. Camarillo (Camarillo)
2025 Record: 25-3
10. Menlo School (Atherton)
2025 Record: 16-2
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA TODAY Sports’ Super 10 high school flag football preseason rankings for California
