For the past three years, girls’ flag football has been gaining popularity at Yorba Linda High School and is gaining more recognition. Under the stadium lights on September 29th, the Mustangs took home a victory against El Dorado, winning 21-6. Led by head coach Eric Campos and defensive co-head coach Steve Terran, the girls applied their learned skills, resulting in a win.

These coaches have been here since the beginning, building the foundation for the future of flag football. On the field, the girls’ chemistry and team bond are undeniable and are a key factor in their successful plays. Cienna Olsen (12) sang the national anthem while her teammate, Tina Chen (12), played the guitar alongside her, demonstrating that their friendship extends beyond the field.

Cienna Olsen says, “It was amazing getting to perform with Tina’s beautiful guitar performance! I am so proud of this team, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!” Many of the girls made significant plays, from touchdowns to interceptions, displaying their hard work and determination in the sport. 

Starting the first quarter strong, the Mustangs were able to run and pass the ball, eventually leading to Harper Magni (9) scoring the touchdown on a run. Unfortunately, the extra point was no good. Leading 6-0, the Mustangs contained the Hawks with their resilient defense and tenacity.

During the second quarter, Cienna Olsen pumped up the team by getting an interception on a pass. While this play didn’t end up in a touchdown, the energy ignited from this play was undeniable. With two minutes left in the second quarter, Allison Jochum (11) ran 13 yards into the endzone for another touchdown. This time, with a pass from Magni, Olsen was able to convert on the extra point. In an effort to turn the game around, El Dorado was able to make a pass and run to the 30-yard line. This play was stopped with a flag pull by Chen, and with an incomplete 4th down pass, the first half of the game ended with a score of 13-0.

Starting the second half, the Hawks were able to fight and score a touchdown with a pass to Carter Cameron. A false start later, the extra point fell incomplete, and the score was 13-6. As the game carried on, Vivian Jimenez (12) managed to intercept a pass from the Hawks with 3.2 seconds left of the quarter. In a dominant opening of the fourth quarter, Magni pulled off a pass to Olsen for the touchdown. Jochum was also able to rush the ball into the endzone for an extra two points, increasing the score to 21-6. In the last two minutes of the game, Jillian Wagner (10) and Olsen both got interceptions of their own, ending the game with a final score of 21-6. Faith Saba (12) explains, “This was such a great experience because we were having fun throughout the game. We will take this win and hopefully continue to improve and be successful.”

As the season progresses and nears the end of the fall season, the girls’ flag football team continues to impress everyone. Their perseverance and commitment to the team are reflected in their record. As of now, they are currently 12-5 in the season and have won 7-1 in their league.

Additionally, the girls continue to climb the ranks, nationally ranked in 130th place and 71st place in California. Whether they’re climbing the rankings or battling through tough matches, the players’ dedication can be seen throughout their play. The team has come a long way since the beginning of the program, and it’s all thanks to the players and coaches who continue to pave the way for future players.