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HUNTINGTON BEACH — JSerra’s girls flag football team took a one-score lead into the fourth quarter against Newport Harbor in the CIF-SS Open Division final Saturday night.
Then, the Lions turned to their “switch.”
“We know when to switch on and off,” JSerra senior GG Szczuka said.
The Lions switched into high gear and scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to defeat the Sailors 40-14 at Huntington Beach High to complete a second consecutive undefeated season.
The sophomore duo of Tessa Russell and Kate Meier led the way. Meier beat the Newport Harbor pass rush to throw two touchdown passes in the fourth, including one to Russell.
Russell finished with 10 catches for 150 yards and three touchdowns, including a 62-yarder on the second play from scrimmage in the opening period.
“She’s the best player in the state,” Newport Harbor coach Jason Guyser said Russell. “It was her and Kate (Meier), (and) Kate being able to have all the time in the world (to pass).”
The Lions, ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps, finished 28-0 for the second consecutive season. They extended their winning streak to 56 consecutive games.
In the postgame celebration, the Lions’ switched their focus toward the seniors who helped the program rise from the cellar of the Trinity League. Senior captains Avery Olson, Stella Day, Kai Beary, along with Szczuka, received long embraces from their teammates.
“My best fried is Dylan (Sakayan) and she’s a senior,” said Meier, who finished the season with 99 touchdown passes. “It’s just hard saying goodbye. I just think they’re the core of our team.”
JSerra led 20-14 going into the fourth. On the first play of the quarter, Meier connected with Abby VanderWeerd for a 19-yard touchdown pass.
After the Lions’ defense forced a punt, Meier drove for a 12-yard touchdown pass to Russell. Sterling Flores caught the 2-point conversion for a 34-14 lead.
On the ensuing possession, Olson nabbed an interception from her cornerback spot off a deflection. A few plays later, Meier scored on a 1-yard TD run.
“It’s in the fourth quarter where you can really separate yourself,” said JSerra coach Brian Ong, who guided the Lions to the Division 1 title last season. “That’s just a testament to (our players) falling in love with the process, and continuing just to fight.”
Freshman Emma Yokoi of Newport Harbor (23-5) caught a 12-yard touchdown from Scarlett Guyser in the third quarter. Yokoi also hauled in the 2-point conversion to trim JSerra’s lead to 20-14.
“I was thrilled,” Jason Guyser said. “We had a shot.”
Skylie Cid paced Newport Harbor with 10 receptions for 63 yards.
JSerra entered the final with two victories against Newport Harbor earlier in the season. The Lions beat the Sailors 23-6 in the finals in the Chargers Invitational and 21-6 in the championship of the MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown.