Woodbridge girls flag football edges Newport Harbor to win Beckman SoCal Showcase – Orange County Register

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IRVINE — Woodbridge’s girls flag football team received some additional recognition Saturday night after claiming the Beckman SoCal Showcase with a 13-12 victory against Newport Harbor.

As the Warriors received the championship plaque and shirts from the Matt Leinart Flag Football-sponsored event, tournament director Ryan Bertoni told the team it was the best in Orange County at this point of the inaugural season for the sport.

It was hard to argue after Woodbridge’s performance at Beckman High.

The Warriors (11-1) avenged their only loss by defeating the previously undefeated Sailors, ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps.

“(It’s) is our turn,” Woodbridge quarterback Teagan Burrus said.

There’s no playoffs this season for girls flag so games like Saturday will go a long way to settle debates locally, and beyond.

Newport Harbor (9-1) edged Woodbridge 13-12 in late August.

Both games came down to 2-point conversions.

“It’s by a slim margin,” Bertoni said of Woodbridge’s No. 1 status. “Hopefully, there’s maybe something at the end of the season that gets put together and they can settle it there.”

Newport Harbor trimmed Woodbridge’s lead to 13-12 on a toe-tapping grab in the back of the end zone by Kate Kubiak from Maia Helmar with 1:54 left in the second half. Kubiak is a senior committed to Oregon for soccer.

The Sailors opted to attempt a 2-point conversion from the 10-yard line to take lead — not the 1-point try from the 5 — but Woodbridge forced an incompletion.

“When we played them two weeks ago,” Woodbridge coach Mark Thompson said, “it was same score … and we went for the 2-point conversion and didn’t get it. So I think (Newport Harbor coach Jason Guyser) had that in the back of his mind. … He’s gutsy.”

Newport Harbor’s defense held on the ensuing possession but Woodbridge’s defense made another stop to seal the title. Sophomore Sophia Penaflor batted down a pass near midfield in the closing seconds. The Warriors’ defensive unit also included Hana Watanabe, a standout in basketball, Mia Thompson, Mohini Schaefers and Bella Venegas among others.

“We lost to Harbor a couple weeks ago so it feels really good to get them back when it kind of counts for the big tournament,” said Woodbridge senior wide receiver/safety Milan Heisdorf, who played for the 17-and-under national team over the summer.

“It’s really great to see all these great teams who are the best in the county, and to show up against them.”

Woodbridge, ranked 10th in the nation, took a 12-6 lead on the final play of the first half on a long, catch-and-run touchdown by wide Zoey Ceman on a pass from Burrus, also a standout in basketball. The junior caught the ball in traffic and raced to the end zone.

Wide receiver Tori Zebko added a diving catch for the 1-point conversion. The play loomed significant in the second half.

“They ball out,” Thompson said of his receivers.

The late strike by the Warriors answered a long touchdown pass from Helmar to freshman Maddie Michel that tied the score 6-6. Helmar matched Burrus with two touchdown passes and also added an interception on defense.

Girls flag football … catch the excitement now! Woodbridge leads 13-6 at half but this was a slick TD catch by freshman Maddy Michel from Maia Helmar @ocvarsity pic.twitter.com/ICgDcu4nmb

— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) September 10, 2023

In the semifinals, Newport Harbor edged Corona del Mar 12-7 while Woodbridge defeated Orange Lutheran 20-6.

Woodbridge’s resume also includes early-season wins against Serra of Gardena and Long Beach Poly at invitational hosted by the Chargers.

“Orange County has the top teams,” Thompson said, “because of Ryan Bertoni and the Matt Leinart league and how they fostered and grew and developed all these young players.”

Burrus agreed. “It’s pretty crazy how many teams have joined,” she said. “I love it.”