After a big win over West Ranch on Monday, Saugus girls’ flag football followed up its performance with a big win over St. Bonaventure at home.
The Centurions defeated the Seraphs, 39-7, and secured their eighth victory of the season.
“Over the course of the whole season we’ve just been refining things,” Saugus head coach Momoko Russell said. “Clearly, there’s been a significant jump from both defense and offense, and we’re just doing the right things at the right time. Every school that we’ve been playing is an excellent, well-disciplined team. It just comes down to our execution.”
With the win, the Centurions (8-9, 4-7) extended their winning streak to six, a streak that began on the road at Valencia a few weeks ago when Saugus won in walk-off fashion off a Savanna Smith touchdown pass to Kona Ramsbottom.
In the win over St Bonaventure (3-8, 1-0), the Centurions defense forced a turnover on downs from the Seraphs offense.
With possession in Seraphs’ territory, Smith and Ramsbottom continued their success with a touchdown reception to lead St. Bonaventure, 6-0, in the opening quarter.
And in the second quarter, Smith threw two touchdown passes to Ramsbottom and Makayla Beltran as the Centurions extended their lead to 20-0 going into halftime.
After the game, Russell credited her quarterback’s success to the work ethic she displays and the leadership she’s shown all season.
“There’s a lot to say. She’s just fantastic,” Russell said. “She’s a leader, a captain of our team, she leads, she executes, and they all got a connection that no matter what receiver is catching it, they all trust her. And she also trusts her teammates and that’s what matters.”
Smith ended the day with five total touchdown passes, with three to Ramsbottom, her softball teammate.
But the Centurions’ offense wasn’t the only side that contributed. Saugus defender Jorja Payne picked off the Seraph quarterback in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.
And following the interception, freshman Neila Goodman punched the ball into the end zone as the Centurions extended their lead over St Bonaventure, 32-0.
Despite allowing a touchdown to the St. Bonaventure offense with two minutes left to go in the game, Russell gave the defense their flowers for having every player execute in the win.
“Our main rushers, Ava Neal and Alexia Aguilar, they’ve been fantastic, and they’ve played lights-out, getting those flags,” Russell said. “If it’s not them, Jorja Payne at free safety, she’s been playing so phenomenal. She’s playing that ball and getting it as much as she can. Gianna Gerson had a few interceptions this week, too, and they’re watching what they’re supposed to do on defense, and they’re playing great.”
With all the momentum the Centurions have, Russell is looking forward to the next Foothill League match as the team approaches the final stretch of the season.
“It’s every game, every play, right?” Russell said. “We need to play our best selves and it’s not necessarily about the opposing team, it’s what we can do, that game, in that day.”
Saugus picks up Foothill League action on Wednesday at home, hosting Castaic with the game set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
