Saugus’ Makeli Leonard is a soccer player through and through, but that isn’t stopping the University of Oregon-bound commit from using her skills she learned on the pitch to help deliver wins for flag football.
On the strength of a six-interception performance on Thursday against Golden Valley, the Centurions prevailed over the Grizzlies, 6-0.
“I know that the score was close, and usually I play corner but today I played safety,” Leonard said following the game. “When I saw [the quarterback] throwing it long I just judged where I was going and knew where to go.”
Leonard spoke on her soccer background and how it can help her with flag football. And with six picks, she believes she’s using her skills wisely.
“I play center back in soccer, so when the goalie punts it, it makes it easier for me to read,” she said. “So, when [opposing quarterbacks] throw the ball long, that really helps and communication helps.”
In total, Saugus’ (8-6, 4-4) defense snagged seven interceptions from the Grizzlies (3-11, 0-7) with Alyssa Anderson grabbing one of her own in the second half.
Saugus head coach Momoko Russell believes momentum from Thursday’s win will translate into the rest of the season.
The Centurions own a 4-4 record in Foothill League play and are fourth in the standings.
“Including today’s win, we’ve won four in a row,” Russell said. “So, I think this will be a big push in our momentum. It’s all about locking in right now, execution and doing our job.”
The Centurions will look to keep up their momentum with a road matchup at Valencia High School against the Vikings at 6:30 p.m.
As for Golden Valley, the Grizzlies will look to bounce back in Foothill League play on Tuesday at Golden Valley High School against the West Ranch Wildcats at 6:30 p.m.
For more on Leonard’s performance, watch her postgame interview at youtu.be/DAZfW3E8aMg?si=qoxlksVNq_fRbSoo.
After Thursday’s games, here are scores from around the Foothill League:
Castaic 7, Hart 0: Following a narrow road win over the Hart Hawks (9-8, 5-3) on Thursday, the Castaic Coyotes (10-3, 6-1) now hold the top spot in the flag football Foothill League standings.
In Thursday’s win, Castaic’s Hailey Hornberger completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Charlotte Wheeler for what would be the game-winning touchdown.
With the win, the Coyotes completed the series sweep over Hart after the Coyotes recorded a win over the Hawks earlier in September.
The Coyotes will look to build upon their momentum in Foothill League play on Tuesday at Canyon High School in a matchup against the Cowboys with the game scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.
As for Hart, the loss dropped the Hawks to 5-3 in Foothill League play but they remained second in the standings.
The Hawks will look to bounce back on Thursday at Golden Valley High School against the Grizzlies with the game set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Canyon 31, Valencia 13: After three straight Foothill League losses, the Canyon Cowboys (6-5, 3-5) bounced back with a win over the Valencia Vikings (7-7-2, 5-3) on Thursday.
With the win, the Cowboys won their first contest in Foothill League play after a three-game losing stretch.
The Cowboys remain in sixth in the Foothill League standings but will look to keep up their momentum with a home matchup on Tuesday at Canyon High School against the Castaic Coyotes at 3:30 p.m.
As for Valencia, the loss dropped the Vikings to third in the Foothill League standings with a 5-3 record.
The Vikings will look to bounce back quickly on Tuesday at Valencia High School against the visiting Saugus Centurions with the game set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
