Orange County girls flag football teams go for titles in inaugural CIF finals Saturday

CIF assistant commissioner Thom Simmons greets players, coaches and media at Wednesday’s CIF press conference in Long Beach. (PHOTOS: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

CIF officials along with members of the Los Angeles Chargers greeted players, coaches and media at the inaugural CIF girls flag football press conference Wednesday at The Grand in Long Beach.

Commissioner Mike West and assistant commissioner Thom Simmons congratulated the players on being the first teams to compete for CIF finals. It’s the inaugural season for the CIF playoffs.

Katie Sylvan, director of football administration for the Chargers, also praised the efforts of the players and coaches during her address to the group.

Former CIF commissioner Rob Wigod was also congratulated for his leadership in building the girls flag football program.

All the games are Saturday at Fred Kelly Stadium on the El Modena High School campus.

To see additional photos, click on the first picture:

DIVISION 1

Newport Harbor vs. Orange Lutheran

Saturday, 4:45 p.m. at Fred Kelly Stadium

Orange Lutheran is top-seeded in the division with wins over Roosevelt (44-12), Corona del Mar (40-12), and Canyon (19-6).,

The Lancers were the co-champions of the Trinity League and enter the game with a 22-7 record. Coach Kristen Sherman’s team has scored 805 points and the defense has allowed just 209 points. Quarterback MacKenna Cook has thrown for 6,368 yards and 94 touchdown passes. Wide receiver Julia Oberholtzer has caught 20 touchdown passes with 1,170 receiving yards. Wide receiver Josie Anderson has 1,327 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.

Newport Harbor (25-2) was the champion of the Sunset League. The Sailors have scored 759 points and allowed just 268. Maia Helmar, Audrey Burns and Skylie Cid lead Newport Harbor on offense. Coach Jason Guyser’s team has six shutouts.

DIVISION 2

Northwood vs. Trabuco Hills

Saturday, 2:45 p.m., Fred Kelly Stadium

Northwood is 18-6 overall and defeated two top four seeded teams and won eight in a row overall to reach the final while Trabuco Hills is 17-3 with a nine-game winning streak.

To read more on Northwood, click here:

To read more on Trabuco Hills, click here:

DIVISION 3

San Clemente vs. Troy

Saturday, 9:30 a.m. at Fred Kelly Stadium

San Clemente (13-10-1) has a five game winning streak. The Tritons were the No. 3 team from the Sea View League. Coach Marc Popovich’s team is led by quarterback Kirra Clavijo, who has thrown for 5,584 yards and 67 touchdowns. Wide receivers Gigi Nacelli, Jamie Morgan and Grace Bunker each have more than 1,000 yards in receiving yards. San Clemente has allowed just 53 points in four playoff games.

Troy (16-3-3) is the second seeded team in the Division and was the champion of the North Hills League. Addyson Wink, Kenadi Spurgeon and Sami Neill led the Warriors on offense while Mia Falconi leads the defense. Coach David Shirota’s team has two shutouts this year and had two playoff games only allowing six points. The Warriors are on a six-game winning streak.

DIVISION 4

Fullerton vs. Santa Monica

Saturday, 11:15 a.m., Fred Kelly Stadium

Fullerton enters the game on a 10-game winning streak and is 18-6 overall. The Indians were seeded second in the division.

To read more on Fullerton, click here:

Santa Monica (13-6) enters the game on a 11-game winning streak. Quarterback Anica Mendes has thrown for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns and wide receiver Jayla Johnson-Lake has eight touchdown catches. Santa Monica’s defense has allowed just 136 points this year and just 35 points in four playoff games.

DIVISION 5

Northview (12-8) vs. Antelope Valley (12-6).

Saturday, 1 p.m., Fred Kelly Stadium

Source: CIF Southern Section

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com