The girls’ flag football team was defeated 32-7 by the San Mateo Bearcats on Wednesday night.
The Bearcats won the coin toss and had an aggressive start to the game, scoring their first touchdown mere minutes after taking the field. However, their unsuccessful conversion attempt left them up 6-0.
Despite strong runs from sophomore running back Isabelle Habibi and senior wide receiver Sara Nordlund, the Bears failed to maintain possession of the ball. Shortly after, the Bearcats intercepted a pass intended for Nordlund, and San Mateo found the endzone again. The Bears were now behind 14-0 with 14:40 left in the first half.
Neither team was able to score until, with 3:00 left in the first half, the Bearcats made their third touchdown of the game. The Bears were able to block their point-after attempt, putting San Mateo up by 22-0.
Junior quarterback Mae Kunihiro brought the Bears down the field with her bullet passes, but in the final two minutes of the game, San Mateo was able to intercept Kunihiro’s pass. As San Mateo dodged the defenders and raced down the sideline, junior outside linebacker Ryland Caelius took down the ball carrier and pulled her flag two yards from the endzone.
At 1:02, San Mateo got away with another touchdown, ending the first half 26-0.
Starting the second half, the Bears sharpened their defense. After preventing further touchdowns from the Bearcats, the Bears advanced the ball. Habibi’s route left her wide open, and a Kunihiro’s perfect throw set Habibi up for success as she scored the Bears’ first touchdown. Kunihiro found junior Bailee van Loben Sels in the endzone for a successful one-point conversion, allowing the Bears to close in on the Bearcats’ 26-7 lead.
“It felt really great to be able to support my team and prevent the shutout from happening. I’m really proud of everyone,” said Habibi.
Riding the high of a touchdown, the Bears took the field with intensity. M-A prevented the Bearcats from making any progress on offense, especially with the presence of sophomore middle linebacker Atessa Gholamy, who got multiple flag pulls.
Sophomore safety Aryn Roodman was aggressive in her attempt to block a pass to the endzone, but the ball was still caught by San Mateo, leading to another touchdown with 4:45 left in the game. With an unsuccessful conversion, the game ended with a 32-7 loss for the Bears.
“Although it was an unfortunate loss, I think the defense, like always, just stayed with it until the end,” Gholamy said. “We definitely had our highs and lows but defense always gives it their all.”
“I think that even though we lost, we’re getting better, and we’re going to win some more games this season,” said senior outside linebacker Avary Sheldon.
The Bears will play Aragon at home on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.
