Cerritos Girls Flag Football secures epic double overtime victory in their inaugural program appearance.
Norwalk High made a triumphant return to the field this season, bouncing back from a loss and securing a 12-13 victory against Cerritos High in a thrilling double overtime game. This was the first win for Norwalk High in the third season that the CIF-Southern Section has offered girls' flag football.
The game started with Norwalk High taking the lead in the first quarter. Sophomore Leah Estrella ran a touchdown in from seven yards out, giving Norwalk a 6-0 advantage. The first half saw Junior Kianna Rangel, who would later become a crucial player in the game's climax, complete four passes for 16 yards and rush seven times for negative yards.
Cerritos High responded in the second quarter, with a 12-yard touchdown pass from freshman Jaylynn McGarrah to senior Jazmin Jimenez, tying the game at 6-6. The second half was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find the end zone.
The fourth quarter saw a tense moment for Norwalk High when sophomore Julia Santos was stopped a yard short of a touchdown on fourth down from the two-yard line. The game seemed to be slipping away from Norwalk, but they held on until the final seconds.
With 1:03 left on the clock, senior Sofia Velasquez-Miranda intercepted a pass from sophomore Leah Estrella, preventing Norwalk High from scoring. However, senior Camille Mangahis scored a touchdown to tie the game, sending it into overtime.
In the first overtime, Norwalk High took the lead again, with Jimenez catching a 12-yard pass from McGarrah to give Norwalk a 12-6 advantage. Cerritos responded with a touchdown, setting the stage for the second overtime.
In the second overtime, the game-winning point was scored by Rangel, who caught a short three-yard pass from Mangahis. The extra point was missed, leaving the final score at 12-13 in favour of Norwalk High.
The victory was a sweet one for Norwalk High, who had a challenging end to last season. After starting with a record of 7-6, they lost three straight and six of the final eight games. Norwalk High will look to build on this win, as they prepare to face Western High today and Saddleback High on Monday.
The loss was a tough one for Cerritos High, who had won their first game in school history just a few days earlier against Bell Gardens High with a score of 18-6. The Cerritos team will look to bounce back, as they face Anaheim High, Culver City, and Long Beach Jordan High in the coming days.
The Cerritos game reminded Norwalk coach Sandoval of their first game of last season against Long Beach Cabrillo High, another close and exciting contest. The loss to Long Beach Cabrillo was Norwalk's first ever game last season, and they will be hoping to avoid a repeat performance as they move forward in this new season.
Community news outlets may report on the thrilling double overtime victory of Norwalk High, scoring 12-13 against Cerritos High in the third season of CIF-Southern Section girls' flag football. Local sports enthusiasts can look forward to events such as Norwalk High's upcoming matches against Western High today and Saddleback High on Monday.
