The Sonora High School varsity flag football team hosted Trans Valley League rival Orestimba on Senior Night to begin the week at Dunlavy Field.
At halftime Monday evening, the Wildcats (3-6, 2-5 TVL) honored their four seniors: Jemma Anderson, Taylor Faught, Addison Hansen and Kodie Townsend.
“Taylor was previously a volleyball player, and it meant a lot that she wanted to come out, try this and be a part of history,” Sonora flag football head coach Zack Kerzich said. “Kodie wants to play college softball, so with her busy schedule still coming out and taking the helm for us at quarterback is big.
“Jemma loves playing water polo and she decided to try this out as well. Addison kept basketball books for me last year. When she heard that football was going to happen and I was going to coach, she wanted to come out. It felt good to know, I’m pouring a lot into the program and giving it my best. I think the girls are happy about that, working really hard too and are excited about it.”
Sonora was ultimately overmatched by the Warriors (17-5, 6-1), who won by a final score of 45-13.
“It was really fun and I just tried to make the best of it because it was our last home game. We worked hard, but it didn’t end how we wanted it to,” Faught said. “It’s been really cool, especially because it’s the first ever Sonora flag football team. It’s been really cool to learn, play something new and experience a brand-new sport. Overall, it’s been really fun and a good experience.”
Orestimba jumped out to a 20-0 advantage on Monday night under the lights. The Wildcats ended the shutout midway through the first half with a touchdown pass from Townsend to Faught. Junior Alyvia Cromwell hauled in the extra-point reception to trim the deficit to 20-7.
“The beginning was really rough. We didn’t cover underneath or rally to the ball well right away. We just anticipated other girls pulling the flags,” Kerzich said. “The speed on Orestimba is really, really fast. When our girls aren’t rallying for the ball, one or two girls are there, those two girls get beat and the rest of the girls aren’t flying to the ball, it’s easy for them to hit the gaps and take off. In the beginning of the game, we came out really slow and we got kind of startled by how fast they are even though we’ve already played them.”
A pair of juniors, Abygail Hensel and Adyson Kroeze, recorded respective interceptions but Sonora was unable to capitalize and trailed 27-7 at halftime.
The Wildcats began to mount a comeback attempt about three minutes into the second half. Falk intercepted junior Hailey Starr and returned it for a pick-6 to cut the Warriors advantage to two scores at 27-13, following a failed extra-point attempt.
“We had an interception for a pick-6 by Taylor, that put us within two scores so we had some life,” Kerzich recalled. “We had other interceptions but just couldn’t capitalize on offense, we were committing a lot of turnovers.”
The scoring for Sonora ended there as Orestimba tallied 18 more unanswered points to win 45-13.
“Taylor was playing pretty aggressively and kept that going through the whole game. I really liked how before Ahrens went down, she injured (her left ankle), but was bringing the rush pretty well. Ayla was covering the middle really well, she’s got good hands and is fast,” Kerzich explained. “Addison almost had a pick-6. That’s one of those plays that could’ve been huge momentum because we had just got a pick-6. They threw it in the flats and she jumped it on an out route, but just dropped it. That would’ve brought it within one score. Those are the girls who I really saw step up tonight.”
Remaining members of the first Sonora flag football team include: juniors, Madison Campbell, Kaydence Craig, Peyton Green, Hayden Hendrix and Maria Lomeli; sophomores Isabella Ahrens and Isabella Warnick; and freshmen, Ayla Diaz, Jillian Ferreira, Bailey Kraus and Scarlett Odom.
“Bella Ahrens played well, she hurt herself, but was doing really well on the rush. Adyson Kroeze did really well tonight running the ball and she made some good catches,” Faught said. “We need to work on our defense, maybe put some new plays in and just keep working hard.”
After losing their season opener 33-6 at McClatchy in Sacramento on Sept. 11, the Wildcats rebounded two days later with a 20-12 non-league win versus Buhach Colony at UC Merced.
Sonora won back-to-back TVL contests to begin this month, 13-12 against Ripon on Oct. 2 and 29-12 versus Hilmar on Oct. 7.
“Going back all the way to summer, we were working hard and trying to get a lot of reps in for girls who never played before — they never knew what a route was,” Kerzich said. “To go from where they were to where they are now, it is impressive. It stinks to lose this big, but from preseason to where we are now, it’s been pretty good strides. They know what it takes to compete now.
“Earlier on in the season, we beat Ripon by one but we didn’t feel too great about that victory. We had more opportunities to beat them bigger. Hilmar was our best game, so we had good momentum after those two games.”
Following a road game at Hughson (11-5, 6-1) on Wednesday, the Wildcats face Ripon (2-13, 0-7) and Hilmar (7-11, 1-6) for respective road rematches on Oct. 21 and 23. Each contest is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
“We have to have a good practice (Tuesday) preparing for Hughson, because we know Hughson already beat Orestimba,” Kerzich said. “When we played Hughson, it was a three-score game that we lost by, and they have speed as well. We just have to play our game and play it well. Regardless of how Hughson goes, no matter what, we have to come on top over Ripon and Hilmar to have a shot at playoffs.
“We’ve gotta go in with a mentality that these three games are crucial. We gotta take it one game at a time, but at the same time, know that these three upcoming games are going to decide whether we get that playoff run or not.”
With a postseason appearance still attainable, Sonora is focused on finishing the regular season strong.
“What it looks like for playoffs is top 16 teams for (Division) IV go to playoffs,” Kerzich said. “The girls know that we’re right there in the hunt, and I think MaxPreps had us as 12 right now, but who knows after tonight what we’ll be bumped to. I’m still trying to keep the playoffs in mind and to finish the season strong. If we can come up with a victory over Hughson and then beat Ripon and Hilmar again, that would be huge momentum going into playoffs.
“That’s my goal going forward is to get this three-game winning streak, so we go into the playoffs feeling excited.”