Plus, scores from around the Foothill League in flag football
Valencia’s Brianna Jahng is just a freshman, but when her name was called to take over as quarterback in the game’s final play after quarterback Camila Quintero went down with injury, the first-year flag football player made her shot count.
With the Vikings set up 2 yards away from the goal line, Jahng delivered a pass over a Saugus defender and into the hands of senior Bella Dumes and led the Vikings past the Centurions, 12-6, Thursday at Saugus High School.
“It’s shocking,” Valencia head coach Jeff Albert said of the game’s final play. “Camila went down and Brianna, our freshman quarterback, called the play and threw it to Bella. That’s what they do, make big plays and win games.”
Prior to Valencia’s (4-4-2, 2-1) game-winning touchdown, the game was tied 6 apiece with the Vikings holding possession of the ball with four minutes remaining in the game after letting the Centurions’ (3-4, 1-2) Makeli Leonard break out for a 30-yard touchdown to tie the game.
But the Vikings didn’t surrender and instead drove down the field with Quintero making timely throws that pushed the team with possession of the ball on Saugus’ 4-yard line and two seconds left.
On the next play, Quintero scrambled to her left and dived for the pylon but was pushed out of bounds, resulting in a penalty on Saugus’ defense and untimed down for Valencia.
After the game, Albert said the game-winning play wasn’t possible without Quintero and that she’s shown that willingness to win all season.
“She can run it, she can pass it and she puts a lot of pressure on the defense.” Albert said. “She works hard … she does everything we ask.”
Defensively, Quintero also provided a key performance as she had six flag pulls as the Vikings defense held Saugus to six points.
The Vikings picked up their second Foothill League win of the season and look to build upon their momentum Tuesday at Valencia High School against the Castaic Coyotes at 6:30 p.m.
As for Saugus, the loss dropped the Centurions to 1-2 in Foothill League play and tied for sixth in the standings with Canyon.
The Centurions will look to bounce back at home Tuesday against the visiting West Ranch Wildcats with the game scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
After Thursday’s games, here are scores from around the Foothill League:
Castaic 6, Canyon 0: The Castaic Coyotes (5-1, 2-0) began the Foothill League season 2-0 following a narrow road win over the high-scoring Canyon Cowboys (4-2, 1-2).
In Thursday’s win, Castaic’s Hailey Parks made her first-ever start at quarterback for the Coyotes. She tossed the game-winning touchdown pass in the lone score of the game and led the Coyotes to their fifth win of the season.
The Coyotes will look to keep up the momentum on Tuesday in a road matchup against the Vikings at Valencia High School with the game scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
As for Canyon, the loss dropped the Cowboys to below .500 in Foothill League play, but the team will look to bounce back Thursday at Golden Valley High School in a matchup against the Grizzlies at 6:30 p.m.
West Ranch 20, Golden Valley 18: The defending Foothill League champion West Ranch Wildcats (2-3, 1-0) kicked off their title defense with an opening home win over Golden Valley (1-5, 0-2).
In the win, Olivia Esparza connected with Alana Toliver for a touchdown, and Vivianna Sanchez iced the game with a 10-yard late pick-six.
The Wildcats play again on Tuesday at Saugus High School in a matchup against the Centurions with the game set for 6:30 p.m.
As for Golden Valley, the Grizzlies look to rebound on Tuesday at Hart High School against the Hawks with the game scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
