NEWMAN — Hughson High advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 4 flag football championship with a 21-18, come-from-behind victory over Trans-Valley League rival Orestimba oil Wednesday.
With the victory, the No. 7 Huskies (16-6) will face top-seeded Colfax (15-0) today at 11:30 a.m. at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento.
The Falcons, who average 38 points per game while yielding less than 6, advanced to today’s title game with a 20-6 win over TVL member Escalon (14-11).
By way of comparison, Hughson lost to Escalon 35-15 on Oct.2, then beat the Cougars 28-20 on Oct. 21.
Regardless of the outcome, Hughson coach Charly Garza said this team will hold a special place in his heart.
“With the success of our boys football team, there were expectations on this team,” said Garza. “I told them before the Orestimba game that I already get calls from people who tell me that their daughters can’t wait to play flag football. I told them, ‘You guys, in just one season, are setting an example for a bunch of little girls as to what can be done on a football field.’ Regardless of what happens (today), I’m proud of them.”
Colfax is led by junior quarterback Kaylee Fore, who has completed 191 of 275 attempts (70 percent), with 37 touchdown passes against just three interceptions.
Kaia Diederichs also throws the ball quite a big for Colfax. She has completed 84 of 109 attempts (77 percent) for 18 touchdowns and three interceptions. Diederichs is also the team’s leading rusher, averaging 15.5 yards per carry. Sophia Smiley is the top receiver with 81 catches on the season, while Diederichs is the second-leading receiver with 45 catches.
“They look organized, disciplined and well coached,” said Garza. “They have two or three girls who kind of share the load. And they’re riding in with a tremendous amount of confidence.”
Against Orestimba, Morgan Bleakley scored a pair of touchdowns for the Huskies, while Raegan Barstow scored the other.
Quarterback Lea Hobby spent the night before the Orestimba game in the hospital, with dehydration brought on by the flu. She wasn’t up to playing and Hughson was set to go with its backup quarterback, but five minutes before game time she decided to give it a go, and came through with a big performance.
