The girls flag football team lost to the Carlmont Scots 12-7 in a close contest on Wednesday afternoon.
M-A began the game with offensive firepower. On the second play, a throw by junior quarterback Eliana Clapp* found sophomore receiver Bella Gormsen, who juked two defenders and ran 60 yards down the sideline. Soon after, Clapp connected with senior wide receiver Mo’Rhai Balinton for a touchdown. A catch by junior wide receiver Olivia Roberts gave the Bears the one-point conversion, securing a 7-0 lead for M-A less than two minutes into the game.
Early tackles by Balinton and senior linebacker Juliana Pandolfo kept the Scots at bay. However, Carlmont quickly responded with a 55-yard pass that set up a run into the end zone. Despite this score, the Bears remained disciplined on defense. A sack by senior rusher Isabelle Habibi ensured that M-A clung on to a 7-6 lead with 7:22 left in the quarter.
The pass-attack continued to thrive through the beginning of this game, with Gormsen juking the Scots to create big plays. Despite this, tight coverage from Carlmont drew an interception, giving the ball back to the Scots with 4:50 left.
Tackles by senior rusher Miya Yu* and a key sack by Habibi prevented Carlmont from moving forward, and helped M-A retain a narrow 7-6 lead as the time expired in the first quarter.
Early into the second quarter, Clapp spun around the Scots to pick up significant yardage. However, a last stand by Carlmont’s rushers prevented M-A from advancing past midfield. Led by Balinton, the Bears’ defense put immense pressure on the Scots, tackling Carlmont whenever they got the ball and breaking up passes in the air.
Eventually, Balinton was able to snag a key interception, keeping the Scots from scoring. Still, key tackles by Carlmont stifled the Bears’ attacks, leading to a three-and-out with 4:52 left in the quarter. Carlmont continued that momentum through big passing plays down the middle of the field. Still, key tackles by Pandolfo and intense pressure from senior rusher Alex Jones and sophomore rusher Ella Smith prevented the Scots from reaching the end zone. Thus, M-A was able to hold on to a slender 7-6 lead as the first half ended.
M-A opened shakily in the second half. Despite tight coverage by Balinton and Roberts, a catch by the Scots down the sideline resulted in a Carlmont touchdown, giving them a 12-7 lead early into the quarter. The Scots went for a two-point conversion, but a leaping interception by Balinton prevented Carlmont from extending their advantage.
The remainder of the third quarter was a tale of two sides of the ball for M-A. Defensively, the Bears were sturdy, with pulls by Roberts and Pandolfo limiting the amount of yardage the Scots were able to gain. On fourth down, senior cornerback Aryn Roodman made a key deflection to force a turnover on downs. However, the Bears struggled offensively. The Scots’ mounting pressure led to them picking off M-A twice, both early on in the drive. The quarter ended 12-7 in favor of the Scots.
The Bears started the fourth quarter with defensive ferocity, determined to get the ball back. Suffocating coverage by the Bears forced Carlmont into a fourth down, and Carlmont’s throw downfield was anticipated and snuffed out by Roodman, leading to a turnover.
On their next drive, M-A continued looking to gain momentum. Despite powerful runs by Balinton, the Bears were forced to punt. M-A maintained its defensive strength on the next possession, with disciplined coverage and explosive rushing. A sack by Habibi and a critical flag pull by Yu forced the Scots into yet another fourth-down situation. Carlmont came up short with an incomplete pass, and the Bears regained possession with 4:09 remaining.
“We held them on defense for a good amount of time,” Roodman said.
Gormsen made two receptions for gain, but M-A’s progress was halted by a sack on third down, and the Bears called a timeout with 2:38 left in the game. On fourth down, Balinton received a short pass and ran it, but came up just short, turning the ball over.
M-A remained resilient in the dying minutes, preventing Carlmont from scoring. Despite this, time expired before the Bears could get the ball back, and the game ended 12-7 in a Carlmont victory.
“I think our offense can do a little better, and we can all be running better routes as well,” Balinton said.
“I’m looking forward to winning from now on. I don’t think we should lose a single game,” Habibi said.
The Bears will travel to face the Aragon Dons on Monday at 4:30 p.m.
*Eliana Clapp and Miya Yu are journalists for the M-A Chronicle.
