Saugus girls flag football and Valencia battled back and forth during regulation but after three overtimes, the Centurions came out on top for the win on the road.
Saugus walked off Valencia 6-0 on the very last play of the game to even the season series following a loss to the Vikings earlier in the season.
“It always feels good to get revenge right?” Saugus head coach Momoko Russell said. “Coach Albert has a great team over there and talented young girls. This is their second season, and this is our first season, so it feels really good to be able to take down a good team.”
Throughout regulation, both teams were unable to score as every offensive possession resulted in a three-and out in the first three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, Saugus had the best opportunity to win the game after Abigail Lofgren picked off Valencia quarterback Camila Quintero.
With one timeout left, Saugus drove down the field to the 40-yard line but didn’t have the game clock on their side as the team attempted a last-second Hail Mary that resulted in an incomplete pass to end regulation.
In the first overtime, with both teams’ starting possession 20 yards away from the goal line, Valencia began possession and got as close to 10 yards out.
But a clutch sack from Alexa Aguilar forced Valencia to commit a turnover on downs.
With the opportunity to walk off the game, Saugus quarterback Savanna Smith got picked off by Quintero and forced a second overtime.
With Saugus starting off with possession, the Centurions were unable to score, and Valencia then had the chance to win the game on the final drive.
On third down, Aguilar sacked Quintero again and forced the offense backwards and threw an incomplete pass on the following play.
“Lexi Aguilar, she had so many sacks today and she just plays lights out,” Russell said. “She’s extending her body, and she’s just trying to make good plays. But it’s just about executing and playing hard every single down.”
In the third overtime, Valencia started off with possession first and Aguilar pulled through for her third straight drive-ending sack and gave the ball right back to her offense.
On the following drive, Smith threw the ball through the air to Kona Ramsbottom for the touchdown and walked off the game for the Centurions.
“They play softball together, so they already know each other really well, so we knew it was the winner when they just connected,” Russell said. “Savannah has a great arm and she [Ramsbottom] has good hands, so when we saw the ball flying, we were celebrating before it landed in her hands, and we knew what was going to happen.”
The Centurions have back-to-back non-league games next week until Saugus picks up league action again. And Russell wants to use the win to refine on what works and what doesn’t, so they can be successful when they play in the Foothill League again.
“League is pretty dominant,” Russell said. “We have Cleveland and Chatsworth coming up next week so I think it’s kind of a regrouping of what can we try new this week that we haven’t put together yet? Or let’s revisit some old things that are going to help us refine our fundamentals.”
The Centurions play again on Monday, hosting the Cleveland High School Cavaliers at Saugus High School.
As for Valencia, the Vikings also play Monday on the road at Santa Paula with the game set to begin at 4 p.m.
