Trabuco Hills was represented at the CIF media luncheon by (from left) assistant coach Brent Williams, Piper Kawanaka, Maddie Hales, Emma Ortiz, Ellie Tapper and head coach Rick Metzdorff. (PHOTO: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
It’s been quite a season for the Trabuco Hills High School girls flag football team.
The Mustangs, coached by Rick Metzdorff, are hoping to notch one more win Saturday at 2:45 p.m. in the CIF Division 2 final against Northwood at Fred Kelly Stadium to complete the mission.
Trabuco Hills, the second place team from the South Coast League, is 17-3 and has a high powered offense that has scored nearly 500 points this season.
Trabuco Hills defeated University 19-13, El Modena 31-20, Sonora 25-24 and Edison 19-6 to reach the championship game. The Mustangs enter Saturday’s game with a nine-game winning streak.
“We’re super excited about it,” Metzdorff said at the CIF media luncheon this week. “Last year was our inaugural season, we had a good team but they didn’t have playoffs so we were disappointed by that because we felt like we could make some progress last year too.”
This year, CIF playoffs are a reality for the first time.
“This year, we’re super happy with how we finished and only really lost to Aliso Niguel (in league) and finished in second place and made our way through the playoffs and here we are, ready for the finals,” the coach said.
“The girls are awesome, they love it and we’ve got full support from the school and the AD, so we’re hoping to bring home a ring.”
The Trabuco Hills community has given full support to the team.
“We play in the stadium at the school …. we have cheerleaders at the games, we did a Susan G. Komen night and raised money for the fight against cancer, we have a senior night celebrating the seniors, so we’ve been trying to really build a program, not just football on the field but getting the students and the parents and the community involved in coming to the games,” the coach said.
“And we probably travel better than most of the teams out here. We have a lot of support and a lot of following and it’s such an exciting game to play and watch.”
Trabuco Hills is led by quarterback Ellie Tapper, who has thrown for 3,314 yards and 50 touchdowns. Wide receiver Emma Ortiz has 25 touchdown receptions and 1,851 receiving yards. On defense, Piper Kawanaka leads the way with 11 interceptions. Wide receiver Maddie Hales has also stood out.
“Emma Ortiz, a junior, is probably our lead receiver and she’s a defensive back and is also captain of the cheer squad and she’s also a state track and field athlete,” Metzdorff said. “Piper Kawanaka is also a receiver and defensive back for us, she’s a softball player, so she has great hands and a great arm, Maddie Hales is also a wide receiver and a defensive back for us and a basketball player who knows how to box out and fight for the football and Ellie Tapper is our freshman quarterback who has had a phenomenal season and we wouldn’t be here without her.”
Trabuco Hills has not played Northwood in the regular season.
“I’ve seen some video and I’ve seen a little bit of what they do, but we’re not familiar with them and I don’t think they’re familiar with us,” Metzdorff said. “A little bit different styles of football that we play. But we’re excited for the opportunity to play them and see who comes out on top.”
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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