Saddleback flag football team enjoys big turn-around with league title, playoff berth

Saddleback’s league championship flag football team. (Photo courtesy Saddleback Athletics).

After going through a one-win season in 2024, Saddleback High School’s girls flag football team has made a dramatic turnaround, earning the Orange League title and a trip to the CIF playoffs beginning Tuesday.

Saddleback was 1-12 overall (1-5 in league) last season and this year is 9-10 overall after winning the league title with a 7-2 record.

The Roadrunners clinched the league title with a 46-8 win over Western to claim the first league crown in the program’s second year.

Saddleback opens the CIF Division 6 playoffs Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Cerritos, the champion from the 605 League. The Dons are 11-7 overall.

“This journey has been about more than football,” said Coach Beverly Robles, who was named the Los Angeles Chargers flag football coach of the week. “These girls stuck together since last season, believing in each other, trusting me and themselves. Through discipline, hard work, and heart, they turned every challenge into a victory.”

Quarterback Hailey Bravo has been a standout leader offensively connecting with receivers Maria Ochoa, and Estrella Pantoja for key scores throughout the year, according to Robles.

“We were really united as one, worked together, and used our determination to achieve the goal we’ve been working so hard for,” Bravo said.

Jaymie Vallejo, Ketzy Alonso and Isabel Armijo have been the standouts on the defensive line. Celeste Campos, Lizeth Melgoza and Norma Sanchez have recorded key interceptions for the Roadrunners.