By Sage Tippie
The varsity women’s flag football team lost 37-31 to the Eldorado Sundevils on Monday, Jan. 25.
The Cougars started the game with a deep pass from quarterback Heaven Lucero, senior, to Trinity Rhoades, junior. Lucero then completed a pass to Milli Wright, junior, with the ball now resting on the Cougar’s 22 yard line. With help from Lucero, sophomore Shawna Slater completed a pass to score the first touchdown of the game. The Cougs successfully completed a one-point conversion, giving them the lead 7-0. Eldorado’s team fought back with a touchdown and gained a one-point conversion.
Lucero then passed to Jodi Allen, senior, scoring the Cougars another touchdown, and a one-point conversion. The Sundevils fired back with another touchdown but the one point conversion was unsuccessful when Brittany Whitt, junior, intercepted the ball, earning the Cougs a two point conversion. The game continued with the Cougars in the lead 16-13.
After three incomplete passes by the Cougars, Eldorado earned the ball back. The Sundevils scored a touchdown, but senior Ariana Grgas prevented the one-point conversion. The Cougars fell behind 19-16. After another two incomplete passes by the Cougars, the referee called a delay-of-game which resulted in a five yard penalty.
Lucero recovered the lost yardage with a complete pass to Rhoades, but the ball was back in the Sundevils’ possession. Lexi Lohmeir, junior, attempted to hold off their offensive maneuvers, tackling a player from Eldorado, but they still managed to score a touchdown. At the end of the first half, the score was 25-16 with the Sundevils still in the lead.
“I feel that we’ve been doing well this season, and it’s true that the better the opponent, the better we play,” Rhoades said.
The second half began with a Sundevils’ possession and after a pass interference was called on a Coronado play, Eldorado scored the first touchdown of the third quarter. The ball was then back in Coronado’s possession, and Lucero was able to successfully complete a pass to Allen, which resulted in a touchdown for the lady Cougs. Lucero completed another pass to Allen, resulting in a successful two-point conversion, closing the nine-point lead behind Eldorado to 31-24.
After four incomplete passes, the Sundevils lost their possession of the ball. Lucero completed a pass to the ball carrier, Rhoades. Lucero then followed through with a complete pass to Slater, who scored a touchdown, and the Cougs managed to score a one-point conversion. The two teams were tied 31 to 31. The last touchdown of the game was made by the Sundevils, allowing them to narrowly take the win 37-31.
“I feel like we’re improving and growing as a team, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far this season, despite today’s loss,” Wright said.
