On Tuesday, October 20th, Ranger Flag Football’s senior night was cut short near the beginning of the fourth quarter when a fight broke out. The Rangers ended the game with a 45-0 victory, ending the regular season on a high note.

By Fabian Anguiano

This was the Rangers’ last regular-season game; they ended with a 17-1 record and hold the number one ranking in just their first season heading into the playoffs.

Offensive Spotlight

Quarterback Emma Crisp ’29, went 20/28 for 236 yards and seven touchdowns, finding four different receivers that contributed to the red zone success and once again showing her ability to throw on the run and her playmaking ability. Crisp ended the season with a 69% completion percentage, 2,917 passing yards, 61 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Crisp ended the regular season with sixty-seven carries for 455 yards and six touchdowns; she averaged 6.8 yards per carry.

Running back Blake Duncan ‘28, was busier as a receiver, as she racked up five receptions for two touchdowns and 113 yards, averaging 22.6 yards per carry. Duncan ended the regular season with 39 total receptions for 466 yards and six touchdowns; she ended with 62 carries for 792 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Defensive Spotlight

Defensive back Jema Serrato ‘27, had seven total flag pulls, with one being behind the line of scrimmage and one a sack that showcased Serrato’s ability to speed through defenders.

Serrato ended the regular season with 60 total flag pulls averaging 3.8 per game; she also racked up 10 sacks in the season.

Rusher Harlyn Kausen ‘27, made plays all over the field, pulling the receiver’s flag at just the right time to prevent more yardage from being gained; she also racked up an interception on Mt. Whitney’s own side of the field in the second quarter to give the Rangers excellent field position.

Kausen ended the regular season with eight total flag pulls, five sacks, and six interceptions.

The Rangers maintained the 45 points they had until the game made an unexpected conclusion with 9:17 left in the fourth quarter following a physical altercation between players from both sides; coaches and officials rushed over to break up the scuffle, and the game was called with Redwood in the lead 45-0.

Redwood player Tori Ochoa ’27, was simply trying to, “Play my game; I was trying to be me, getting my sacks, pulling my flags; I was playing clean. It was my senior night; I was excited to be with my friends and family.”

Ochoa said she “[wanted to finish her senior night off] good; I wanted to keep them at zero; I was wanting to get more sacks. I was excited; my grandma was right there to watch.”

One of the things that impressed Principal Dr.Gridiron was, “AD Wright pulled the girls to the sideline and had a conversation with them about the expectations that we have here at Redwood. Not allowing people to draw them into moments that draw them out of character where they start to display behavior that does not represent the standard of excellence we have at our school,” said Gridiron.

The decision to end the game was a collaborative effort between coaches and the officiating staff; the score was 45-0 with roughly 9 minutes on the clock, so it wasn’t necessary to continue. Both teams are preparing for playoffs, and Gridiron believes it was the right thing to do.

Shortly after the decision to call the game was made, athletics director Michael Wright talked to the team about, “Playing with class, sometimes when you’re on top, you have to expect things like this. So we have to be aware of our emotions and our actions so that they don’t interfere with the end goal, which is a section championship in this case.”

For flag football head coach Michael Wright II, anytime a game is played, whether it’s coaching flag football or wrestling, there is always worry for the kids. He never wants to see a kid in a compromised position; there is a lot of care and love for their athletes.

Wright is really, “Proud of our girls; they handle themselves with a lot of pride and respect. I think they set a great example of what it really means to be a Ranger. I’m really, really proud of them.”


Fabian Anguiano
+ posts

Fabian Anguiano '28,is a VERY passionate sportswriter and editor for the Redwood Gigantea. He is entering his third year with the Gigantea, and he likes motivating others and being involved in everything sports related. If you would like to reach him, just email him at [email protected]

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,