MidValleySports.Com

By Rich Whittington

(Rosemead) – The Sierra Vista Dons used three second-half touchdowns to top the host Rosemead Panthers, 18-6, Wednesday evening in the Girl’s Flag Football contest that was held at Panther Field.

The game started off with a scoreless first half, which provided plenty of excitement nonetheless, as the teams jockeyed for position. While there were no points scored, the first half did include three interceptions.

The first was credited to Sierra Vista’s Briana Manriquez, who ended Rosemead’s opening drive. The second was courtesy of Rosemead Defensive Back Jaylene Flores, who returned the favor and ended Sierra Vista’s first possession. The final turnover of the half was provided by SV’s Itzel Escobar, who intercepted another Rosemead offering and returned it twenty-five yards, to the Rosemead 10-yard line.

The offenses got to work in the second half. Sierra Vista struck first, as Escobar displayed her running talents by scoring on a 60-yard pitch. The PAT was unsuccessful, making the score 6-0, with 19:36 remaining in the half. Rosemead answered when Nancy Sanchez found the end zone on a 60-yard run of her own.

The PAT was again unsuccessful, making the score 6-6, with 17:24 remaining in regulation.

The score remained tied until the final seconds of the contest. With 13 seconds remaining on the game clock, Sierra Vista quarterback Delila Herrera connected with Briana Martinez for a 10-yard TD. Another unsuccessful PAT attempt made the score 12-6, in favor of the Dons. Rosemead had one final opportunity to tie the game, but it was not to be. The Rosemead quarterback’s pass was intercepted by the aforementioned Escobar, who returned the offering twenty-five yards for a touchdown, making the score 18-6, as time expired.

Rosemead’s next contest is scheduled for 10/11, when the Panthers will travel to Westridge to battle the Tigers. Sierra Vista’s next game, also scheduled for 10/11, is at Wilson High School, where the Dons will play the Bruins. Game time for both is scheduled for 4:00 PM. Please contact the host schools for confirmation, as the times are subject to change.