Following a comeback win over Hart at home, the West Ranch girls’ flag football team kept its hopes alive for this season’s Foothill League title.
The Wildcats defeated the Hawks, 13-8, and secured the season sweep over Hart following a win earlier in the season.
“We knew going into this game, it was going to be a dog fight, and we were fortunate to come on the winning end of it,” West Ranch head coach Mark Hornberger said.
It was all defense in the first half as neither team was able to score.
But it was West Ranch (11-3, 10-2) that came away with two interceptions off Hart (15-8, 10-2) quarterback Hannah Cook.
In the second quarter, both freshman defenders Kara Carnes and Rachelle Clark came away with the ball to set up their offense at midfield.
But the offense was unable to capitalize on the opportunities, and the game remained tied going into halftime.
Despite the two first-half interceptions, Hart’s offense kept up the pass game and was rewarded in doing so.
In the opening minutes of the first half, Cook threw a touchdown pass to Jessica Gutierrez, who ran down the sideline for 35 yards and scored the first points of the game.
With an 8-0 lead following the successful two-point conversion, the Hawks kept the momentum heading into the final quarter.
With six minutes left to go, the Wildcats’ offense drove down the field led by quarterback Hailey Hornberger, who made timely passes to her receivers, including a touchdown reception to Carnes.
The Wildcats trailed 8-6 after a failed two-point conversion, but West Ranch didn’t have to worry long about getting the ball because on the following drive Clark picked off Cook late in the fourth quarter and took it back to the house for a pick six.
After the game, Hornberger described the moment he saw the game-sealing interception and was worried
“When I saw her with the pick, she slowed down and it didn’t seem like she was going to continue to go in towards the end zone,” Hornberger said. “But I think she then realized that her flag wasn’t pulled, and then she hit the jets and then sure enough, it was a touchdown.”
Clark ended the game with two interceptions and a touchdown, a performance that earned her praise from her head coach following the game.
“It was a tremendous play, and she’s been a star for us the whole season,” he said.
Cook tallied four interceptions and one touchdown but threw for 252 yards.
It was defensive performance that West Ranch had to pull off following back-to-back losses to Saugus and Golden Valley.
“Our defense has been grinding all year. Coach Will Ortiz has done a fantastic job with the group,” Hornberger said. “We’re gritty and it’s not going to be easy, especially when you’re going up against a juggernaut offensively like Hart. We were just fortunate enough to win and can’t say enough about our defense.”
With the game-sealing pick six, West Ranch pulled off the victory at home and swept the Hawks in the season series, an important win regarding the standings.
Hart had to pull off the win to at least have a share of the title, but with the loss the team fell to second.
It’s still a fight between West Ranch and Hart, but for the Wildcats they feel pretty good about their chances as the path to the league title is now in their hands as the team needs to win its remaining two games.
“We’re trying to finish league strong,” Hornberger said. “We got two games left, so it’s the old cliche, one game at a time, one play at a time. So hopefully we can carry this momentum into the last two games and finish strong.”
West Ranch plays again on Monday at home, hosting Canyon with the game set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
As for Hart, the Hawks will look to rebound at home on Monday, hosting Saugus.
