Redwood Flag Football Cruises Past Quarterfinals, Shutting Out Lompoc 38-0

On Thursday, October 29th, Ranger flag football downed Lompoc 38-0 in the flag football playoff quarterfinals, claiming their second straight shutout and punching a ticket to the semifinals.

By Fabian Anguiano

Redwood came into this game coming off a dominant 36-0 round of 16 victory over Madera, while Lompoc came in with an exceptional 32-21 victory in the round of 16.

Redwood won the toss and elected to defer, giving the Braves their first look on offense.

Quarter-By-Quarter Analysis

First Quarter

The Braves opend up their first drive of the game with a hook-and-ladder to wide receiver Karen Nanclares ’28, for a solid gain of 10; they proceeded to give an end around to receiver Madison Caballero ’27, who would just get a gain of one.

Now facing 3rd and 11 after a modest gain, the Braves gained a first down with a throw on the run; a holding call on the Rangers moved the ball to the Ranger 28.

After getting stuffed on the line of scrimmage, the Braves gained a first down on a catch-and-run pass; they would then get a gain of five with another pass to Nanclares for second and goal from the Rangers’ 14.

Now facing 3rd and 17, rusher Tori Ochoa ‘27, would catch on to a hook-and-ladder, getting to the ball quick enough to force a 4th down.

The Braves would have a turnover on downs after the ball slipped from quarterback Tiana Terronen’s hands, resulting in a dead ball and a loss of downs.

The Ranger offense opened up their first series with an end around to running back Blake Duncan ‘28, who would get stuffed behind the line of scrimmage for a loss.

Now facing a fourth down after a short gain by Duncan, the Rangers converted on a fourth down with quarterback Emma Crisp ‘29, slinging a downfield pass to receiver Adriana Soria-Rosales into Braves territory; the Rangers followed up with a crossing route to receiver Analizah Balderas ‘28, making it 2nd and 2.

Now facing a 3rd and 9 after back-to-back short passes, Crisp threw the ball out of bounds in the back of the endzone, forcing a fourth down. 

The Rangers had no problem converting; Crisp found receiver Jaelyn Bruce ‘28, on a crossing route for a go-ahead touchdown; the extra point was hauled in by Balderas, giving the Rangers a 7-0 lead and the first points of the game.

With the Braves on their second drive, quarterback Terrones was sacked by rusher Tori Ochoa ‘27, for a loss of one. The Braves followed up with a toss to Nanclares for a big gain, moving the sticks; they called the exact same play and gained nine to make it second and short.

Now facing a 4th and 3 after great defensive plays from the Rangers’ defense, the Braves would get stuffed by defensive back Evelyn Kausen ‘28, to force a turnover on downs.

With the Rangers back on offense, they opened with a pitch to Blake Duncan for a gain of 12, getting back into Braves territory.

This concluded the first quarter.

Second Quarter

Facing a 3rd and 8 after a dangerous throw by Crisp that almost resulted in an interception, the Rangers converted with a catch-and-run for a big gain all the way to the Braves’ six. Crisp would keep it herself on the next play, walking it in untouched for six; the extra point fell incomplete, making the score 13-0 at the beginning of the second quarter.

Now on their third drive of the game,  Caballero gained the first down on a fly sweep. The Braves followed up with a gain of seven to Brynn Reyna ‘28, bringing up second and ten.

Now facing a 3rd and 10 after an incomplete pass, Ochoa got her number called again, tipping the ball at the line, forcing a fourth down and the first punt of the night.

After a solid return by Balderas getting all the way to the Braves’ 36-yard line, the Rangers opened up their third drive with a catch-and-run by receiver Apple Espino ‘27, for a nice gain, bringing up 2nd and 3. The Rangers followed up with a double-toss fake pass to Rosales for a first down.

After back-to-back incomplete passes, the Rangers faced a 3rd and 14 in the red zone. Crisp threw to Ortiz behind the line of scrimmage, and Ortiz threw the ball up for grabs in the end zone looking for a touchdown, but it was intercepted by a Braves defender who took out the ball to their own 30.

On the Braves’ first play of their fourth drive of the game, a dangerous throw by Terrones slipped through the hands of Ochoa, avoiding an interception.

Now facing 4th and 6 after an incomplete pass, the Braves elected to punt for the second straight time.

The Rangers started the drive with Crisp finding Rosales for a gain of 10 for a Ranger first down. The Rangers followed up with an explosive catch-and-run by Ortiz, getting the Rangers in the red zone.

After the two-minute warning, Crisp found a wide-open receiver in Avah Winstead ‘28, for yet another touchdown; Crisp would get sacked on the extra point. Extending the Rangers’ lead to 19-0.

With the Braves on their fourth drive of the first half, they began getting stuffed by rusher Harlyn Kausen ‘27, the Ranger defense followed up by forcing an incomplete pass intended for Liliana Ortega ‘28, bringing up a 3rd and 6.

A screen pass to Reyna came up just a yard short of the sticks, bringing up a 4th and 1, which would result in a turnover on downs after an incomplete pass, giving the Rangers excellent field position.

Now facing a 3rd and 15 in the red zone, a downfield pass to Espino would result in an attempted tip-toe catch, which would be called out of bounds, bringing up fourth down.

On fourth down, Espino would be the quarterback after being thrown the ball behind the line of scrimmage, and she found Balderas on an improbable touchdown pass, which would be deflected off of the defender’s hands and into the hands of Balderas as she fell down. The extra point fell incomplete, making the score 25-0.

With seconds left in the first half, the Braves called a timeout with four seconds left in the half, followed by an incomplete pass and one second on the clock. The Braves attempted a hook-and-ladder until a Ranger defender got to the ball quickly.

This concluded the first half.

Third Quarter

The Rangers began their first drive of the first half with a catch-and-run by Duncan up the middle, moving the sticks; they followed up with a crossing route to Ortiz to pick up a solid gain, bringing up 2nd and 1.

After a tackle for loss behind the line of scrimmage, the Rangers now faced a 3rd and 4; it would become a 3rd and 9 after a delay of game.

Now facing a 4th and 3 after a catch-and-run by Winstead, the Rangers converted with a short catch by Espino, just barely picking up the first down by inches.

The Rangers moved the chains once again on 2nd and 17 with a nice catch and run by Rosales, bringing up a 3rd and 4; the pass fell incomplete, forcing a 4th down.

Crisp kept it herself working to her left, picking up another first down. The Rangers moved deeper into the red zone after a gain of seven by Balderas spinning, bringing up 2nd and 12.

Now facing 3rd and 12 after an incomplete pass intended for Balderas, the pass would fall incomplete once again, bringing up a 4th down.

Crisp would hand the ball off, get the ball handed back to herself, and would get sacked by a Braves defender, resulting in a turnover on downs.

The Braves began their drive on a high note with Reyna racking up a nice catch and run for a first down into Ranger territory. The Braves got deeper into Ranger territory after a catch and run by Adams.

After a short pass and an illegal contact penalty committed by the Rangers, the Braves picked up a first down. 

Now facing a 3rd and 9 after a short pass and a solid catch-and-run. The Braves faced a crucial fourth down, which would result in a turnover on downs after cornerback Jema Serrato ‘27, powered her way up the middle for a sack.

With the Rangers back on offense, the Rangers picked up a first down on a 2nd and 13 after a solid catch-and-run by Rosales.

This concluded the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter

After the Braves’ defense jumped offsides, the Rangers gained an additional five yards on their first down. Crisp slinged it to none other than Rosales, bringing up a 3rd and 2; the Rangers converted after a short pass to Espino.

The Rangers followed up with some eye candy, putting Espino in motion, then giving the ball to Duncan, who would make cuts to pick up a big gain, moving the sticks.

The Rangers followed up with a circus catch by Bruce, which included her bobbling the ball numerous times until eventually hauling it in, picking up a first down and deep into the end zone.

Crisp put the exclamation point on the drive as Espino climbed the ladder for a touchdown. The extra point was originally incomplete, but a personal foul gave the Rangers another chance; the pass fell incomplete once again, making the Rangers lead 31-0.

With the Braves looking for their first points of the night, they moved the chains after a catch-and-run by a Lampoc receiver; the Rangers’ defense, with Serrato finding her way past defenders for her second sack of the night.

Now facing a 3rd and 18 after just a one-yard gain, Adams racked up a gain of eight, making it a fourth and ten, forcing the Braves to punt once again.

The Rangers hopped back on offense. Crisp found Balderas for a contested catch in coverage, bringing up a 2nd and 1.

On an option, Crisp looked like she would gain the first down with her legs; she would then pitch to Crisp on a lateral, who got the ball deep into Braves territory. The Braves committed an illegal contact penalty right at the end of the play, moving the Rangers even deeper in the red zone.

Now with 2nd and goal from the six, Crisp found a wide-open Rosales for six, adding on to their lead. Crisp kept the ball for the extra point, extending the lead to 38-0 with less than a minute left in the game.

With seconds left, the Braves hopped on offense looking to take the zero off the board with minimal time; Ochoa ended the game with a sack, bringing the clock to zero.

The Rangers will now move on to the semi-finals, where they will face the 17-6 Santa Ynez Pirates on Tuesday, November 3rd, with kickoff being at 6 p.m in the Mineral King Bowl.

Tags: #redwood athletics, flag football, gigantea, playoffs, quarterfinals, redwood athletes, shutout, visalia ca