By Rich Whittington
(Baldwin Park) -The Sierra Vista Girls Flag Football team logged a victory in the home opener Wednesday afternoon, defeating the visiting South El Monte Eagles 14-12 in front of a very supporting and very curious crowd at Sierra Vista’s Dons Stadium.
There are many differences between this game and the one that is played on Friday evenings. However, one thing that they have in common is excitement, and this game provided this for those in attendance from the very beginning.
South El Monte opened the scoring in the contest when quarterback Alexis Rodriguez connected with receiver Gissell Morales for a 2-yard score. The 2-point PAT attempt was unsuccessful, making the score 6-0 with 16:16 remaining in the opening half. (It might be helpful to add that there is no kicking game, so all PAT attempts are for two points.
Sierra Vista answered this score, on the defensive side of the ball, when Itzel Escobar intercepted an errant Rodriguez pass, returning it 40 yards for a touchdown. The PAT was unsuccessful, making the score 6-6 at the 9:23 mark of the opening half. The Dons added a second score in the period, as quarterback Delila Heredia found receiver Lotus Wu for a 20-yard TD. The PAT was no good, making the score 12-6 at halftime.
The second half provided even more excitement, as the teams continued to battle. The defenses tightened, resulting in a SEM interception, as well as three turnovers on downs.
The only scoring drive of the five combined second-half possessions was provided by the Eagles, who tied the game when Rodriguez found Nadine Guiterrez for a 13-yard touchdown. This made the score 12-12 with 3:23 remaining in regulation.
The game ended on a note that was not indicative of this hard-fought contest. With :09 remaining in regulation SEM quarterback Rodriguez faded back to attempt a game-winning pass. Her flags fell off in the end zone, which caused the play to be blown dead. By rule, because the flags fell off in the end zone, this was a safety, giving Sierra Vista 2 points and possession of the ball. This made the score 14-12 as the game came to an end.
When asked about his team’s performance, SEM Coach Michael Gonzales provided me with the inspiration that he had just given to his team,” We just hung with a team that has been playing three years and we have been doing this for three weeks. We are trending in the right direction and I couldn’t be happier than to be on this journey with you girls.”
Sierra Vista’s next game is on Monday, 9/25/23 when the Lady Dons will travel to Warren High School to battle the Bears. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
South El Monte’s next contest is on Tuesday, 9/26/23 when the Lady Eagles host the Azusa Aztecs. The start time for this matchup is 3:30 PM.
Rules are different huh, duh!
I thing several were dudes. Outlaw this.
I’m going to tryout for CIF’s newest sport, competitive diaper changing. Looks like some of the sensitive souls here need a dry one.
I don’t know if there are any rule modifications for girls in flag but typically there is running clock until the last two minutes . At that point , there are stoppages for incomplete passes etc
Points well taken, but unfortunate commentary ????
I don’t understand how if you have a different take or opinion , then the other person is flawed (insecure) , bad ( misogynist) , and furthermore horrible and indictable (inhumane)
Has 1001 ever coached a flag game ? Do they even know the rules ? The SEM coach basically stated my same commentary in postgame interview: “we are happy with our performance and ahead of schedule “ after turning a tie into a loss with questionable play calling and time management .at the end of the game .
So is this competition or a fun activity ? Hopefully both . I’m sure 1001 is a good person trying to comprehend our changing world ; please give others the same benefit of the doubt . #greatcrusade
@10:01
Look, with all due respect, I’m not defending the comments on this thread, not by a country mile. I’m the father of a girls Varsity athlete of whom I’m very proud. My daughters (I have two) know their father thinks they can do anything they set out to accomplish–but within limits, just like a boy (I have one of those too). Yet, I have to wonder, have you ever considered that the unfortunate commentary you see here is the UNFORTUNATE backlash from those who might have been more sympathetic to the cause of Girls/Womens sports if not the current social backdrop we all have the misfortune of experiencing which most refer to as the “culture war”. I, myself, know many who used to tune into womens professional sports and enjoy it for what it is, what it could be, but were turned off given the insistence by many with the loudest voices possible that somehow they were equally as good if not better? Again, focus on what I said about the commentary herein being UNFORTUNATE; so, no, I am not excusing it. I am only saying it well could be a byproduct of a movement and its absurd message with which we’ve all been hit over the head. The commentary thus far is worth condemnation–full stop. But these are merely symptoms (likely) of a larger problem of which I hope you’re a part. If so, a long look in the mirror would be justifiably worth looking into. Let’s return to being complementary, not opposed to one another. That goes for everyone.
Ur ridiculous.
I think it’s great that girls are playing , but let’s coach them up right like the boys! #truehumanity
Yeah, in the 2nd half the clock kept running until it looked like the game was gonna end in a tie. Then towards the end of the game all of a sudden the clock started stopping, to the benefit of SV. Go figure 🙄. SEM got em on a turn over on downs near the end zone, then the safety happened.
In this comments section: misogyny and insecure masculinity. #questionablehumanity
Losing on safety late in game ? In flag?
I’m sure the girls were happy and had their cookies and milk after game anyways
Coaching experience means a lot at any level!
#questionablecoaching
Glad to hear about this gala opening day. Just wondering: was the halftime show any good, and how much did the 50/50 pay out?