Paloma Valley’s Cadyn Evans avoids a defender’s reach for her flag on the way to a touchdown. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
All three local high school flag football teams were in action in the last two days, and the players are making progress in what is a new sport for them.
“They’re improving every day and giving maximum effort,” said Heritage coach Jason Chupany. “Some of them know the football rules, but overall, the sport is new to them. They’re doing online exercises and watching football on TV. The growth is there.”
This is the second year of flag football as a CIF-sanctioned sport but the first for Menifee schools. Liberty scored a 24-0 victory at Vista del Lago on Monday, evening its record at 2-2. The Bison play next on Aug. 24 at home against Citrus Hill.
Quarterback Brooklyn Barlow had one touchdown rushing and one passing for the Bison. Ellie Cranfil caught a TD pass, Kennedi Morrow had a rushing TD, and Malek El Zaatari returned an interception for a TD. The Bison are coached by Kraig Broach, formerly the boys football coach at Heritage and Liberty.
Paloma Valley lost two close games this week. The Wildcats lost a 20-19 home game against Temescal Canyon on Monday. Paloma Valley had the ball on the opposition 1-yard line with 2.8 seconds to play, but an illegal procedure penalty on a scramble ended the game. Cadyn Evans had two touchdown runs and Mandi Ball passes 6 yards to Leyna Anderson for a TD.
On Tuesday, the Wildcats lost a 14-7 decision to Murrieta Valley, dropping their record to 2-3. Their next game is Aug. 24 at Heritage.
Heritage suffered losses of 24-13 to JW North on Monday and 14-12 to Vista del Lago on Tuesday, falling to 1-4 on the season. In the game against North, freshman Mikayla Edwards scored a touchdown, as did Delilah Garcia.
Paloma Valley quarterback Mandi Ball is on the move. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Leyna Anderson makes a catch for the touchdown. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Isabella Diaz finds some running room. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Lailah Lewis of Heritage tries to find some running room. (Photo by Brian Thornton)
Quarterback Persia Ponce looks to run the football. (Photo by Brian Thornton)
Players battle for the ball in the Heritage-North game. (Photo by Brian Thornton)
