The girls flag football team fell to the Saint Francis Lancers 25-7 on Thursday evening.
The Bears hit the ground running with two catches totaling 25 yards by junior wide receiver Cassidy Thomas. However, their momentum was soon interrupted by an interception from Saint Francis near the red zone, preventing M-A from scoring.
Still, the Bears continued to fight in crucial defensive plays. A sack by Thomas helped keep Saint Francis at bay, and a leaping interception by sophomore defensive back Bella Gormsen returned the ball to M-A. The Lancers matched pressure, keeping the score at 0-0 through the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter started with the same defensive tenacity from M-A. An interception by senior defensive back Emma Loose flipped possession in favor of the Bears, sparking junior quarterback Eliana Clapp* to force crucial first downs with key throws and scrambles as she evaded pressure by Saint Francis.
Despite the Bears’ promising start, the Lancers struck first. Following a turnover on downs by M-A, Saint Francis connected on a 45-yard throw, taking a 6-0 lead with 2:05 on the clock.
Within seconds, the Lancers got a second touchdown off an interception, and converted on the extra point to extend their lead to 13-0 with 1:30 in the half. The Bears pushed back with a relentless effort to start a comeback. However, the Lancers’ defense stalled them, leaving the game 13-0 at halftime.
M-A remained superb on defense to begin the second half. A pair of sacks by senior rusher Isabelle Habibi allowed the Bears to stifle Saint Francis before they could reach the end zone.
“Their quarterback kept getting pretty frustrated with the rushers because the rushers kept sacking her, which I think that even when we were losing, our defense was still going strong,” Thomas said.
M-A continued to mount pressure on St. Francis. Clapp escaped this, however, scrambling the Lancers’ defense for 21 yards down the sideline on the first play of the drive. Sophomore wide receiver Hannah Priest made key catches to avoid fourth downs and place the Bears inches from the red zone. Still, M-A’s offensive stalemate continued, and the third quarter ended 13-0.
Leading into the fourth quarter, Saint Francis shifted into a higher gear, with a key stop near the Bears’ end zone, allowing them to regain possession. The Lancers utilized this momentum, scoring a touchdown with 6:40 on the clock and bringing the score to 19-0. After another quick stop, Saint Francis made a darting throw to the end zone, making the game 25-0 with 3:50 left.
Still, M-A remained unfazed. A 48-yard dime from senior quarterback Aryn Roodman found senior wide receiver Miya Yu* as she bolted to the end zone to give the Bears their first touchdown. A scramble down the left side from Roodman helped them convert on the extra point, setting the score at 25-7 with 1:50 left.
“As a linebacker and seeing the other team, our teammates cheering us on, I think that gave me this adrenaline rush,” junior linebacker Mayar Khabaza said.
Despite the touchdown and energy from M-A, they weren’t able to overcome the Lancers’ lead. Saint Francis ran down the clock, and the game ended 25-7 in favor of the Lancers.
“I think we want to just continue the high intensity, the effort,” Habibi said. “Our energy is always super high, and that’s what carries us through these games.”
The Bears will face the Carlmont Scots away on Monday at 4:30 p.m.
*Eliana Clapp and Miya Yu are journalists for the M-A Chronicle.
