In the first year of the sport’s full participation from the William S. Hart Union School District, two Santa Clarita Valley teams will play in their respective California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section division championship games.
Both West Ranch and Castaic won their respective matchups in the semifinals and advanced to the Division 4 and Division 5 championship games, respectively.
Here’s a look back at the semifinals matchups:
West Ranch 12, King 6
The Wildcats won a close, defensive game on the road and were awarded a trip to the program’s first appearance in a CIF-SS championship game.
“In every game that goes by and that we’ve won, each challenge presents a difference, and we just feel like the girls that we have on our team, they’re up for the challenge,” West Ranch head coach Mark Hornberger said in an interview with The Signal. “It’s just a great feeling for myself and the coaching staff to know that these girls, you know, are in it to win it. And the success we’ve had this year is just a testament to their fight and their will to compete.
The Wildcats defeated the King Wolves at Riverside following a home win in the quarterfinals over Canyon Springs.
With the win, the Wildcats will face off against the Polytechnic Riverside Bears, who’ve accumulated a 12-10 overall record. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 a.m.
Hornberger plans to have his team ready, and his Wildcats are already familiar with playing on the road as the game is set to be played at El Modena High School in Orange.
“We were probably the least excited team when we saw the lineup and the fact that Division 4 has to play first,” he said. “But we’ve been on the road most of the playoffs and we’ve just taken our punches, and we just handled it with class … these girls, they grind and we’re just proud of their fight. And hopefully we can come out with victory on Saturday.”
Castaic 19, Moreno Valley 13
Why not us.
That’s the motto that’s been driving Castaic girls’ flag football into new heights as the first-year program is set to play in its first-ever Southern Section title game following a road win over Moreno Valley in the semifinals.
“I feel so happy and blessed. I know how hard it is to get to this point,” Castaic head coach William Jones said in an interview with The Signal. “Some coaches never get this opportunity in their entire career. So, for us to reach this historic milestone for our program, school and community is everything. It’s a dream come true.”
All year long, Jones fought the “it’s your first year” mindset and stated that the goal was to keep on winning until there were no more games to win.
Now, the Coyotes are one win away from being the Division 5 Southern Section champions.
“I’ve told our team all season that no one is going to just give you wins. You have to work hard, stay focused, perform with effort and intensity, you have to take it,” Jones said. “Moreno Valley is a well-coached team with athletes all over the field. We jumped on them quick, but they fought back in the second half. It took everything we had to get the job done. I think that just shows the grittiness and determination of this team.”
The Coyotes play on Saturday against the Anaheim Colonist at El Modena High School with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.
