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CIF-SS GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL FINALS
SATURDAY
All games at El Modena High
Stream: NFHS Network
DIVISION 1
Orange Lutheran (24-2) vs. JSerra (27-0), 7 p.m.
Outlook: It’s the upcoming Lions against the reigning Division 1 champion Lancers and quarterback Makena Cook. Top-seeded JSerra beat No. 2 Orange Lutheran 18-7 and 21-20 en route to the Trinity League title. The Lions, who feature only one senior, intercepted four passes in the first game and scored on two long touchdowns in the second game. “We know we’re going to get a great game,” JSerra coach Brian Ong said of facing Orange Lutheran. “We always want to play the best and I feel like Orange Lutheran is the best. They’re the defending CIF champion.”
JSerra features four freshmen standouts in Ava Irwin, Sterling Flores, Kate Meier and Tessa Russell, along with several other contributors. Cook, The Register’s reigning O.C. player of the year, has passed for 6,713 yards and 109 TDs. The junior’s top targets are junior Josie Anderson and freshman Happy Dubois. “If we play our own game, don’t make any mistakes, play how we know how to play, we think we can beat them,” Anderson said. “We know how good they are, how skilled they are, how good their coaching is and their strategy.”
JSerra is ranked No. 2 in the nation by MaxPreps, one spot ahead of Orange Lutheran. Indiana state champion Penn (13-0) is No. 1.
DIVISION 2
Corona del Mar (17-14) vs. Westlake (17-6), 5 p.m.
Outlook: The Sea Kings overcame challenges in league and the playoffs to reach their first section final. Corona del Mar finished fourth in the tough Sunset League with a 6-6 record and entered the postseason ranked No. 20 in Division 2. The playoff run includes a 7-6 win against No. 4 seed Linfield Christian in the second round. Corona del Mar’s roster under first-year coach Theo Rokos features no seniors. The emergence of sophomore QB Addison Stern has been one of the keys for the Sea Kings. Stern also leads the team in sacks. Sophomore Mia Balabanian paces the Sea Kings’ in flag pulls and interceptions. Westlake began the playoffs ranked No. 27 in Division 2.
DIVISION 5
Anaheim (15-10) vs. Castaic (15-10), 1 p.m.
Outlook: Anaheim aims to stay focused against a Castaic team that lost twice in league to the Colonists’ semifinal opponent Vasquez. Anaheim defeated Castaic 32-7 to reach its first section final. “As long as we do what we’re supposed to do,” Colonists coach Vince Gomez said, “we’re going to put ourselves in the better position.” Anaheim played a difficult nonleague schedule to prepare for the playoffs. The Colonists lost to Division 1 playoff teams Esperanza and Edison and Division 2 qualifier Tesoro. Quarterback Alyssa Avelar has thrown for 51 touchdowns. The junior’s top targets are Ashley Guzman and Sophia Sewell.