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CHULA VISTA — Players from JSerra and Newport Harbor ran through smoke and colorful banners to take the field side by side for the championship of the inaugural MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown on Saturday.
With cameras rolling for a live broadcast, the Orange County powerhouses pushed the fast-growing girls sport onto a national platform at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center.
But like they’ve done so far this fall, and all of last season, the Lions separated themselves.
Behind the duo of quarterback Kate Meier and wide receiver Tessa Russell, and the pass rush of Anna Paquette and GG Szczuka, JSerra defeated Newport Harbor 21-6 to remain undefeated and extend its winning streak to 43 games.
Meier threw three touchdowns, including strikes of 42 and 43 yards to Russell. Paquette had two sacks and a pass deflection. Szczuka and Abby Vanderweerd added one sack apiece for the reigning CIF-SS Division 1 champion.
JSerra (15-0), ranked No. 1 in Orange County and the nation by MaxPreps, didn’t lose sight of the moment for the sport. The tournament featured top teams from California plus a few from other states, including a touted squad from Alabama.
Girls flag football has certainly come a long way since its debuted in the CIF Southern Section in 2023.
“I never could have dreamed of this when I was younger,” said Russell, who was named tournament MVP. “(It’s) super exciting that we get to do a national tournament. Flag football is growing so much.”
“Every moment I’m cherishing,” the sophomore added. “I’m hoping that girls after me get to do the same thing and I’m just glad I get to be one of the first ones to do it.”
Still cooking! @JSerraAthletics girls flag football defeats Newport Harbor 21-6 to win inaugural @MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown, Lions have won 43 straight!🔥 pic.twitter.com/beHh7wg6JC
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) September 13, 2026
On JSerra’s opening possession, Russell lined up in the slot and caught a short out pass from Meier. Russell then broke across the field and escaped a crowd of defenders to race 42 yards for a touchdown.
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Meier ran in the extra-point for a 7-0 lead.
Newport Harbor (14-2), ranked No. 2 in Orange County and No. 3 nationally, responded early in the second quarter.
Scarlett Guyser intercepted a pass at the JSerra 21. On the ensuing possession, the junior tossed a 14-yard touchdown to Blakely Irvine on fourth down.
It was the first touchdown JSerra allowed in the tournament.
Russell broke up the extra-point as the Lions led 7-6 at halftime.
Early in the second half, Russell lined up near the center and caught another short pass. She bolted toward the sideline, turned sideways to juke defenders and went 43 yards for another touchdown. JSerra led 14-6.
“Tessa is probably the best player in the country,” JSerra coach Brian Ong said. “And I think we have the best quarterback in the country. That duo, man, it’s going to (give) a defensive coordinator a lot of nightmares.”
Early in the fourth quarter, Meier threw a 7-yard touchdown to Vanderweerd. Meier, a sophomore, earned the tournament’s offensive MVP.
Vanderweerd and Paquette are transfers from Orange Lutheran who became eligible this week.
Guyser was selected defensive MVP.
“We gave it everything we had,” said Newport Harbor coach Jason Guyser, the father of the quarterback/safety. “We’re hoping to play them again in CIF. We can definitely learn some things … but they are just filled.”
Newport Harbor edged Sunset League rival Huntington Beach 8-7 in triple sudden-death overtime in the semifinals.
After the teams went scoreless in two rounds of scoring chances from the 3, the Sailors advanced by recording the longer play — a short completion by Guyser to Skylie Cid.
Irvine and Huntington Beach’s Shelby Nguyen caught touchdowns. Nguyen’s reception and extra-point from Roxie Shaia tied the score 7-7 late in regulation.
Huntington Beach freshman Kyla Uno collected four sacks.
“We’re confident we can beat anyone out there,” Oilers coach Zack Pannell said. “We just got to keep going.”
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