The Varsity Girl’s Flag Football team made history this fall. After a 12-10-1 season, they dominated the Central Coast Section (CCS) playoffs. In the team’s first CCS appearance, they went 3-0 and took home the first championship title for the flag football program. The team finished third in the West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL), going 3-3 in league matchups and setting the stage for a remarkable postseason run.
In the CCS quarterfinal game against Santa Clara High School, Saint Francis led the Bruins from the first snap to the final whistle. The Lancers took control immediately, going up 7-0 in the first quarter then adding on to their lead to make the score 12-6 by halftime. They ended up punching their ticket to the next round of playoffs with a final score of 32-18. Not only did the offense come to play, but the defense made its mark by contributing to three interceptions through the game, proving that the Lancers were a force on both sides of the ball.
Riding the momentum of their quarterfinal victory, the Lancers entered the CCS semifinal game determined to fight until the very end. They faced the Aragon High School Dons on enemy turf, fully aware of the challenge ahead. The Dons had a higher overall record, but Saint Francis entered the game with confidence and came out on top. In a nail-biting game that came down to the wire, the Lancers emerged victorious with a 13-12 win, advancing to the championship and carrying all the energy with them.
The CCS championship game was the biggest stage the flag football program had ever reached. The third seed Lancers met the first seed Branham High School Bruins under high stakes and heavy pressure. The game began with tough defensive stands from both teams, but Saint Francis struck first. Safety Olivia Valentine (’26) sacked the Bruins’ quarterback in the opening quarter, setting the tone early. Soon after, Zoe Tripp (’28) launched a spectacular pass to wide receiver Sofi Houston (’28) who dodged multiple defenders to score a touchdown and give the Lancers a 7-0 lead. Branham attempted to take the lead after halftime, but a critical interception by Annika Crawford (’28) stopped their momentum. With the clock ticking down and the crowd on edge, Brooke Bennett (’26) caught the ball in the endzone to secure the Lancers’ 13-6 championship victory.
The Varsity Girl’s Flag Football team’s CCS Division I title marks a monumental achievement in only the third year of the program’s existence. What began as an eight-game season with no playoffs in 2023 has transformed into a 23-game season capped off with a championship. The Lancers’ dedication, teamwork, and resilience have laid the foundation for what will be an extremely prestigious flag football program in years to come.
