Foothillers smash defending champion Barons in CIF flag

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: November 13, 2024

2024 EAST COUNTY GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL
CIF-San Diego Section Championships

ECS staff report

FLETCHER HILLS – In 2023, Grossmont High handed Bonita Vista its omnly regulsr-season setback, but the Barons captured the playoff semifinals rematch to eventually claim the first CIF San Diego Section Division I championshup in gurls flagfootball.

This time, the Foothillers again downed the Baqronas in the 4regular season, but Wednesdasy’s (Nov. 13) postseason opener was held at Lt. Mitchell Memorial Field.

]Still, Bonita Vista was seeking revenge. They didn’t get it.

The Foothillers, champions for the first-ever Grossmont Hills League title, led from gate-to-wire to drop the Barons, 28-13. The hosts scored on their first three possessions to secure a comfortable 21-0 halftime cushion

Grossmont (16-4), seeded seventh, advances to the quarterfinals at second-seeded Torrey Pines.

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|The breakdown

For the Foothillers, the “usual suspects” led the ballcub toi the imprerssive victory.

Quarterback Marissa Farace tossed four touchdowns passes, While GHL standouts Jaelyn Jensen and Gabi Thomas were at the forefront on both offense and defense.

First up, Chloe “Freshy” Rodriguez got the early romp started on with a 4-yard touchdown reception and the catch on the PAT for a quick 7-0 start.

Bonita Vista, seeded at No. 10, answered with a drive to the Grossmont-10, but fell short on a fourth-down pass.

The Hillers then marched 70 yards with one of their longest drives of the season, capped on a TD reception by Saraya “Shoop” Roope. C.J. Wenck punched in the extra point.

Finally to end the first half, Jensen, who is expected to be named the GHL Defensive player of the year, did her thing on offense, reached the endf zone.

Another PAT by Wenck pushed the advantage to 21 points.

If you thought the Hillers offense did well in the first half, the defense might have done better before the ballclubs cleared the benches.

Thomas then did the opposite of Jensen. Expected to be announced as GHL Offense player of the year next week, Thomas stooped Bonita Vista with a pair of interceptions.

One of Thomas’ picks was returned for a touchdown and a 28-0 lead, giving her 20 TDs for the season.

Wenck’s third PAT then equalled the school single-game record.

DIVISION 3

Granite Hills 45, Rancho Buena Vista 25

VISTA – For those of you who thought the CIF-San Diego Section 11-man football record scored by Granite Hills on Nov. 1 was impressive, the Eagles girls flag football team was equally impressive.

On Wednesday (Nov. 13), Granite Hills eastablished East County and Grossmont Hills League recorrds for points in a postseason contest, as the Eagles shockedfifth-seeded Rancho buena Vista, 45-35, in the opener of the CIFSDS Division 4 playoffs.

Granite Hills, seded 12th and last in the division, were given virtually no chane to compte with the North County-based Longhorns.

However, someone forgot to tell that to the Eagles.

The Eagles (7-9 overall) posted a nice regular-season shutout win over Chula Vista LCC, the top seed in the division, so the ballclub was mentqlly prepared by head coach Keven Smith of the first-year program that consistently improved throught the season.

Other victories of note came over Scripps Ranch, plus a 3-game GHL sweep of Steele Canyon, which was seeded ahead of Granite Hills in the playoff bracket.

(Game highlights vae not eyt been reported at press time).

Scripps Ranch 31, Santana 7

SCRIPS RANCH – In the battle between the No. 8 and 9 seeds which both owned .500 records, the Scripps Ranch Falcons posted a surprisingly easy triumph over the Santana Sultans.

Leading 13-7 at halftime, Scripps Ranch (12-11 overll) dominated the second half by an 18-0 margin to pull away.

The Falcons advance to meet the No. 1 seed Chula Vista Learning Community Center Cobras in the quarterfinals.

The first-year Sultans finish with an 9-10-1 overall mark.

Steele Canyon v 14, El Centro-Central 12

SAN DIEGO – Steele Canyon tied for second-place in the Grossmont Hills League standings, but there were two categories where the Cougars excelled.

The defense held opponent three times this season (two shutout, plus a win when the only points allowed came on a 2-point play), and PAT percentage.

The Cougars entered the regular-season final allowed just fuve OATs in 10 tries — a nice 67 percent.

In Wednesday’s (Nov. 13) CIF playoff openevr, Steele Canyon was perfect. They did not allow visiting El Centro-Central to add on to the Spartans two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Cougars offense went 2-for-2, the difference in a 14-7 victory for the No. 6 seeded Cougars.

Steele Canyon (11-11 overall) advances to the quarterfinals at third-seeded Del Norte High of 4-S Ranch.

Central finishes at 11-14.

No game information (except the PATs) has yet to be reported at press time.