The CIF Southern Section is nearing the end of the league play in flag football. L.A. City Section schools are about two weeks away from postseason play. League winners are being crowned, and playoff teams all have eyes on a CIF championship.
Here is a look at some of the top headlines of girls’ flag football over the past two weeks. (Stats included acquired from coaches or via MaxPreps.com).
Newbury Park beats Agoura to earn Marmonte League title
Newbury Park clinched the Marmonte League title with its victory over Agoura on Friday, Oct. 9.
The win completed the season sweep over the Chargers, giving Newbury Park its first Marmonte League title in its third season as a program.
Coming into the game, the Chargers had their only loss in Marmonte League play against the Panthers. Last season, the Chargers swept the season series on their way to the league title.
On Sept. 16, Newbury Park beat Agoura, 26-12. Agoura’s Claire Hesinger finished with 212 passing yards on 21 completions with two touchdowns and three interceptions while also rushing for 21 yards on five carries.
Jenna Grudsky led Agoura with six catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns. For Newbury Park, Greta Heath finished with 203 passing yards on 25 completions with three touchdowns.
Heath also carried the ball 14 times for 92 yards. Lily Johnson had six receptions for 90 yards and one touchdown, while London Leffler finished with four catches for 31 yards and two touchdowns and also hauled in one interception.
The Panthers lost a league matchup against Westlake on Sept. 11, setting up a Marmonte League showdown with the Chargers on Oct. 9 to decide the league winner. The Panthers pulled off a 13-6 win to secure the title.
Hesinger finished with 328 total yards of offense with one passing touchdown and one interception for Agoura. Addison Kloch led Agoura with seven catches for 149 yards and one touchdown.
Heath finished with 245 total yards with one touchdown and one interception while also hauling in an interception on defense. Leffler led Newbury Park with four catches for 71 yards and one touchdown.
The Panthers’ first goal is complete, and they now have their eyes set on a CIF championship run.
“It was an incredible feeling, the girls were extremely excited to be a part of it,” said Panthers coach Steven Wood. “I’m an alumnus of Newbury Park High School, and I didn’t experience this myself. To experience that as a coach and alumnus, and to witness the excitement of the girls, was something special. We completed our goal to put the banner in the gym, and now our next goal is to make a deep CIF playoff run. Some of the girls even have the final game circled on their calendar. I’m so proud of them, and I want to give a special shoutout to coach Graig (Sakuma) as well; we wouldn’t be here without him.”
Hart and West Ranch in a battle for Foothill League title
Despite West Ranch completing the season sweep over Hart, losses against Saugus and Golden Valley have kept the two teams in a dead heat tie as of Oct. 15. Both teams have one more game remaining in pursuit of the Foothill League title.
Hart receiver Jessica Gutierrez finished with 10 catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns in two meetings against the West Ranch, but it would not be enough to pull off the wins.
West Ranch won 21-6 in their first meeting on Sept. 2, and 13-8 in the second meeting on Oct. 8. In their first matchup, Alora Glass recorded 81 total yards and a punt return for a touchdown while Alan Toliver delivered 50 total yards of offense.
The West Ranch defense recorded five interceptions, including three by Rachelle Clark. In the second meeting, Clark picked up right where she left off, recording two interceptions, including one taken back for a touchdown.
Sofia Forbes and Savanna Patton each recorded an interception, and the defense made a final stand inside the 20-yard line on four straight plays to seal the win. Toliver led the offense again with 57 total yards.
“Hart’s been good since last year and beat us all three times last year,” said West Ranch coach Mark Hornberger. “We wanted to assemble a team that can compete on their level, and fortunately, we got some girls who can run and catch with the fundamentals of flag football. Both matchups were tough, and we were fortunate to come out with the wins. We are also fortunate to have a good defense coach in Coach Will (Ortiz). Now the goal is to finish the season on a good note and hopefully hang the Foothill League championship banner up.”
Verdugo Hills extends winning streak to 15 East Valley League wins
In their inaugural season three years ago, Verdugo Hills went 3-4 in Valley Mission League play. The following season, league realignments created the East Valley League. Since then, the Dons have not dropped a single league contest.
The success comes as no fluke. While the offense is lighting up the scoreboard thanks to running back Meadow Moore and utility player Elizabeth Chavez, the Dons have emphasized their defense.
Mane Harutyunyan has shadowed opposing number one receivers all season long. Quarterback Lauren Brink also plays defense and recorded two interceptions. The Dons have six more games to go until the playoffs begin.
“Our athletes have stepped up and have stuck with the game plan,” said Dons coach Darren Fitzgerald. “Coach Matt has our defense at a good time, and they haven’t given up too many points. Even with the new teams in the fold, teams like North Hollywood and Arleta have some advantage. I’m happy with how our league has grown, and everyone is going to continue improving. Hopefully, we continue to get great athletes and help us continue to grow and teach them the game.”
Notre Dame completes undefeated Mission League schedule in inaugural season
Wherever Notre Dame coach Brandon Alexander goes, success follows him. Alexander spent his most recent coaching tenure at Westlake High School and has now started the inaugural program at Notre Dame High School.
In just their first season, the Knights went undefeated in Mission League play (8-0) and earned a spot in the CIF playoffs. Brooklyn Ravelo led the Knights with 10 receiving touchdowns on the year while also returning two punts for a touchdown and one interception for a touchdown.
Cadi Kuntz threw 20 passing touchdowns and also led the team in defensive interceptions with seven. Clair Cowles plays receiver and defensive back and recorded five receiving touchdowns and six interceptions.
The senior leadership was key for the Knights, who now shift their focus to the postseason.
“It’s an honor to be in the Mission League with teams so competitive and to set the tradition of the Mission League,” said Alexander. “To come and solidify Notre Dame as one of the top flag football programs in the Mission League is an honor. I’ve been fortunate to build the Westlake and Cal Lutheran programs, and to have a group of girls buy in from preseason to help build the Notre Dame community was the main reason for our success. The leadership of the seniors, having a quarterback who can sling the ball, all pays tribute to our success, and I could not be more proud.”