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Esperanza’s girls flag football team punctuated an undefeated season with a dramatic victory Saturday in the finals of a tournament sponsored by the L.A. Chargers.
Quarterback Madi Lam threw a 4-yard touchdown on third down to Ellie Frazier and completed a 1-point conversion to Frazier’s sister Bailey as the Aztecs edged Orange Lutheran 28-27 in overtime at Orange Coast College.
The Aztecs, ranked No. 2 in the nation to Newport Harbor by MaxPreps, finished the inaugural flag season in the CIF Southern Section with a 25-0 record.
The team swarmed Bailey Frazier after her game-winning catch.
“It was an amazing game and the way they ended it was a dream,” Esperanza coach Jimmy Valverde said. “Amazing kids.”
Esperanza rallied from a 21-13 deficit in the second half thanks to an 80-yard interception return for a score by Lam. The sophomore then tossed a 2-point conversion to Ellie Frazier, also a sophomore, to the tie the score 21-21.
Valverde said another key was the pass rush of Daniela Vejar, who switched from cornerback to help cover for the absence of Taylor Shumaker (softball commitment).
On the interception return, Vejar pressured the quarterback to help force the turnover at the Esperanza goal line.
The Aztecs finished 3-0 against Orange Lutheran this fall.
Esperanza opened the tournament Friday with victories against Westlake (21-12) and Huntington Beach (26-0). The Aztecs rallied from a 12-6 deficit against Westlake.
“I’m so proud but I’m also tired,” said Valverde, who also coached the junior varsity team and the girls basketball team preparing for its season. “(It) takes a total team effort from athletic director (Keri Walters), players, coaches and awesome support from our parents and fans.”
The Aztecs will be honored at halftime of Esperanza’s first-round CIF-SS football game Thursday at Yorba Linda High.
They received Chargers’ gear, Oakley sunglasses and a trophy for the winning the season-ending tournament.
