WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Oaks Christian’s Addison Davis had a simple approach when Portola’s flag football team put the ball in the air during Tuesday’s CIF-SS playoff game.
Go get it.
The Oaks Christian standout intercepted three passes, returning one for a touchdown, and she caught two touchdown passes to help the Lions beat the Bulldogs 45-12 in a first-round game in Division 2 at Oaks Christian.
“Just thinking like every ball in the air is my ball,” Davis said. “Like if it’s up, I’m going for it.”
Davis finished with 67 receiving yards and three touchdowns as the Lions advanced to the second round of the playoffs in the program’s second season.
Davis said the team’s players spend time together at school and get ice cream after practice.
“We’re always hanging out, always hanging out with each other in the halls,” Davis said. “We like going to ice cream after practices and stuff.”
That camaraderie carries over into games, where Davis said teammates kept building each other up against Portola.
Oaks Christian coach Marc Tyler sees Davis, who also plays lacrosse, setting an example through her effort at practice.
“Her attitude is just that of an old school player,” Tyler said. “And so for Addie to have a game like that, it’s not surprising. She’s been doing it for two years.”
The Lions (14–8) led 18-6 at halftime and outscored Portola 27-6 in the second half.
Freshman quarterback Brianna Malyszek threw for 306 yards, while Reese Smith, Savanah Williams and Lillee Maine each scored a touchdown.
Tyler said Malyszek needed time to settle into her first playoff game.
“The beginning of the game, she was nervous, which is understandable,” Tyler said. “So she just got warmed up and we started making plays.”
Oaks Christian will play its second-round game Saturday at La Habra at 5 p.m.
Smith said the Lions found openings in the middle of Portola’s defense.
Smith found an opening in the middle for her touchdown catch. She said the defense came up with turnovers that gave the offense shorter trips to the end zone.
“I feel like energy is such a big part of the team energy and the way we play,” Smith said. “So it was great to have those good plays on defense.”
Tyler credited the Lions’ senior leadership and defensive coordinator Malcolm Smith for preparing the team.
Portola coach Julie Primero tried changing rushers and rotating players at safety and cornerback to disrupt the Lions’ passing game. But Oaks Christian’s size and ability to anticipate passes made it difficult for the Bulldogs (8-12).
“I think they just knew the angles to play and jump the ball,” Primero said. “They are really aggressive. You know, it was a really disciplined team.”
For Oaks Christian, the playoff victory followed a debut season in which the Lions won just three games. Tyler hopes the win will get more girls interested in joining the team.
For Davis, the goal is to keep winning.
“I mean, we made it into playoffs our second year and won in our first round,” Davis said. “We’re just hoping make it through to the end and hopefully win.”