Chaminade advances after flag change
West Hills switched from orange to white mid-game to win a 27-20 quarterfinal victory.
By Olga Paredes ·
Chaminade’s flag football team changed equipment during the second quarter of Tuesday’s playoff game. Officials ruled the team’s orange flags were too similar to their blue shorts with orange stripes. The squad switched to white flags and continued playing against Canyon of Anaheim.
The color change did not stop the momentum. Chaminade won the CIF Southern Section Division 2 quarterfinal 27-20. This marks the first time in program history that the team has reached the semifinals. The victory came after a back-and-forth contest that ended with a key defensive stop.
Junior Kaitlyn Nelson swatted away Canyon’s final pass toward the end zone late in the game. The play secured the lead for Chaminade. Sophomore Lexi Dozier led the defensive effort with four sacks, six pass deflections, and nine flag pulls. She recorded two sacks on Canyon’s second-to-last drive.
Offensive play shifted between two quarterbacks. Freshman Reese Yoast threw three touchdown passes to Hollee Kea, Emma Welker, and Sydney Wade. With 4:30 left, Yoast’s pass to Kea narrowed the lead to one possession. Junior Lauren Jesic provided the early cushion. She threw two touchdown passes in the first half and ran for two touchdowns in the third quarter.
Jesic threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Nelson three plays after the flag switch. She also completed a 31-yard touchdown pass to junior Maeve Enright. Enright made that catch while wearing a splint on her broken right index finger.
Coach Cory Skinner said the flag rule was confusing. “I don’t know what that was about,” he said. He added that the team’s bond is stronger than any equipment issue. Enright noted that the rules for girls flag football often seem unsettled. “We just go on the fly,” Enright said.
Chaminade, which is 19-6, will host San Clemente, 12-9, on Saturday. The winner will play in the championship game at Huntington Beach High on Nov. 7. Natalie Warsavsky credited the home crowd for boosting team energy during the game. Her 9-year-old brother Cam led chants from the bleachers.
Source: Los Angeles Daily News
