On Thursday Nov. 9, the Bonita Vista High (BVH) Lady Barons girls’ flag football team hosts the Scripps Ranch High (SRH) falcons in their first playoff game after an initial bye week. Prior to the game, coaches, photographers and the BVH Principal Lee Romero are lined up on the stadium sidelines beaming with eager excitement in anticipation for the game.
As the clock on the scoreboard ticks down with a loud buzz, the game begins with the Lady Barons in possession of the ball. Once the game starts, quarterback and senior Malyna Castillo (6) throws an incomplete pass to center, wide receiver and freshman Layla Shoen (2), although the first play is lackluster, Castillo redeems herself by making a fifteen yard completion to Captain, defensive back, wide receiver and senior Lucia Quintero (7).
“[Castillo] is on point, she made some excellent throws today. The team as a whole played well, with everybody running their routes crisp, getting their hands on the ball and keeping a hold of it.” BVH girls’ Head flag football coach Tristan Lamb said.
After even just a few stagnant passes, a Baron rushes through the teams; wide receiver and freshman Sofia Garay (16) dashes past SRH players with intensive speed. Garay continues her sprint, facing directly to her goal with nothing but pure concentration. The crowd howls as the stadium lights flash and the announcer proudly yells for the touchdown, the stadium fills with cheer as Garay makes the first touchdown of the game.
“Everything is going well, the way we run our routes, the focus that the girls have right now. They have their eyes on the prize.” Lamb said.
Although the Lady Barons make an incomplete extra point conversion, their brief shortcoming does not waver any confidence that they have in the game. SRH passes back and forth between players in quick speeds, leading the ball to be in the twenty yards of the endzone for the Falcons. BVH’s offense come back onto the field and compensate for their failed conversion when running back, linebacker and senior Tatiana Colon (1) sprints with the ball while running from stampeding players of SRH. Colon makes the touchdown; she succeeds in scoring the conversion, bolstering the Lady Barons’ lead to 13-0.
“I am really focused on getting into championships and there are a lot of awards to be handed out now that we are in the playoffs so I am really focused on myself and as a team,” Colon said.
As SRH gets the ball, a successful pass between players benefits them greatly, having the ball fly down towards wide receiver and senior Arianna Harris (3) of the Falcons. A one second opening is then exploited by Colon, proceeding to disrupt this pass with a flash of offensive pressure. SRH center and senior Savannah Shuman (19) catches the ball before leading SRH into a punt. The punt rockets through the air before landing on field once more, the game is set at a stand off within the 25 yard line.
“I feel like we all came together as a team and are able to get it done. I have confidence in the synergy we have together, and I really see us to be like family,” Colon said.
After this punt, the Barons have the ball with a pass from Castillo (6) to wide receiver, defensive back and junior Jamiya Valenciano (8). Castillo runs the ball down as the vocals of people are screeching with cheer, hands clapping, lips whistling while the announcer yells ‘Touchdown!’ into the microphone. The entire stadium blares with energy. Although the Barons are leading with a touchdown, a conversion is attempted but falters under the hands of the Falcons. The game is set at 19-0. BVH coaches yell their cheers and compliments to the players.
“I would say all three coaches definitely have a positive impact [with] everyone on the field. Every time we make a complete pass, they’re on the sidelines cheering their heads off. I just know that the support’s there and it feels nice,” Castillo said.
Passes fly throughout the stadium as chatter from the stands erupts with talks of strategy and morale boosting with frequent yelling. A pass between the Lady Barons is deflected from the scrimmage line by SRH linebacker and sophomore Khyla Adams (7) followed by another incomplete set of passes shared by the Barons and Falcons. The Barons, having a mixed grade team, perform at the top of their game.
“We have half seniors and half freshmen with one or two juniors. I think that we see each other as sisters. We look out for each other, we’re really just a big family,” Castillo said.
As the navy blue seas of Baron gear and the chalky white with crimson red of the Falcon gear are mixed in a skirmish, Garay’s navy jersey pushes its way into enemy territory. Garay catches the ball and dashes towards the opposite end of the field in an attempt to reach further distance from the Barons’ 50 yard line. The Falcons focus their attention on her and have her flag pulled within three yards of her attempt.
“I trust everyone on the field. When we practice, we’re always on it. I have full faith in everybody whether it’s the routes or their throws,” Castillo said.
That motion and flow of the game is set in stone, the lady Barons’ trust in each other is inseparable. Castillo is throwing the ball to Jamiya Valenciano (8). Jumping and sprinting to the goal, a touchdown is brought down by the Barons; but their hunger for victory is less than satiated. Valenciano secures an extra points for the Barons after another successful conversion. The game is now in a staggering set of 26-0.
“I think if we play just like how we did today in every other game, we will be really good and set for any future games,” Castillo said.
As those final minutes clock down forcing a last minute push, Castillo passes the ball towards Colon. Colon secures a touchdown, but once more, the Barons did not have enough. A conversion is set, defensive back and senior Shania White (3) sprints through and catches the ball within the scoring zone, securing an extra point for the Barons and closing in on half time with a score of 33-0 as the Barons take the lead. Lamb takes note and gives compliments to Colon’s fierce playstyle when seeing her run with her aggressive speed.
“[Colon] did good; she’s fast with blazing speed. I like dialing up the plays for her, I like dialing up those little counter plays that really get her some yardage.” Lamb said.
Into the second quarter of the game, the beginning fills with a large set of passes between the Barons and the Falcons. These passes stagnate the score and yardage between the teams. Although the Barons seemed to slow down in the second quarter, their shared interest keeps a sense of urgency firmly in the game. Castillo, a firm believer in the trust of her team goes on to mention how her and her teammates’ shared passion for basketball has brought them closer together as teammates.
“Since the majority of the [flag] football team is playing basketball, we will practice basketball right after school and right after that we have football practice. So, we have double the work. I feel like that really helps our chemistry a lot because we play two sports together. It gets tiring at times, but it is really fun.” Castillo said.
After this down, the Falcons are set on redeeming themselves in this match. With a steady push between the team and focus shared, SRH wide receiver and junior Keira Tinklenberg (10) rushes into Barons territory and scores a touchdown for the Falcons. A new conversion begins, however, is dismantled after the ball carrier’s flag is pulled and sent back. The score settles at 33-6 with the Barons leading. Relief on the supporters for BVH struck after seeing the time tick away with the lady Barons in a significant lead. In awe, chatter erupts from opposing team coaches and in the stands about the lady Barons, admiring their plays.
“It’s nice to get recognition. The other coach said something about us too. It’s just nice seeing the support we get even from our competitors,” Colon said.
With this significant lead, there is still little time on the clock. The Falcons have a chance at getting a redeeming tie if everything goes perfect for them. Knowing this, the Barons did not waver, holding true with ferocity. After a mishandle from Colon, the Lady Barons miss a throw and the Falcons take over. However, the Barons are set on not letting the Falcons score.
“We’ve been practicing hard and we’re running crisp routes, everything’s coming together at the right time during the season. We just have to take it all home now,” Lamb said.
After several passes between the Falcons are disrupted with pulls by Quintero and Castillo, completing their show of defensive action. The buzzer goes off and the ball is dropped, ending the game with the scoreboard blaring as the glowing sign of 33-6 is shown off, the final points. Sweat loosened off the bodies of the lady Barons and tired sighs exited the Falcons, coaches smiling with glee and heating up in the cold night. Castillo, a defender by the end of the game, cheered alongside the rest of the team.
“I am really proud of everybody, the way we played and how it was executed. We all played our part and we’re all key aspects. I am sure we can play like this every game if we practice just as hard,” Castillo said.
