JSerra girls flag football turns showdown with Orange Lutheran into a blowout

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Typically when the top two teams in the county play each other, people can expect a competitive game.

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That was not the case Tuesday when JSerra’s girls flag football team dominated Orange Lutheran 38-0 in a Trinity League game at JSerra High.

JSerra (18-0, 3-0) is ranked No. 1 in the Register’s Top 10 and Orange Lutheran (15-2, 2-1) is ranked No. 2. The Lions are ranked No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section computer rankings that were released Monday. Orange Lutheran is ranked No. 3.

The game tied for the largest margin of victory between the two teams in history and it is the first time Orange Lutheran has been shut out since Sept. 26, 2023.

“I just love it because the girls prepare so hard, so for them to see the fruit of their labor, it pays off,” JSerra coach Brian Ong said. “You see them dancing on the sideline and they’re having a lot of fun. Everybody in the stands gets to see the show on the field, but I get to see the work in practice and this is a testament of that work.”

The game went from being a competitive one to a lopsided one in a matter of two minutes when JSerra returned three interceptions for touchdowns.

After a scoreless first quarter, JSerra’s Anna Paquette, a transfer from Orange Lutheran, attempted to bat down a pass during her pass rush. Instead, she intercepted the pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown.

“Every day we have personal goals and Anna said, ‘I’m going to J.J. Watt this thing. I’m going to rush in and I want a pick-six,’” Ong said. “She manifested that thing.”

Sophomore Tessa Russell returned two interceptions for touchdowns to give the Lions an 18-0 lead in just 1:58 of game time.

“I’ve never seen that in my life,” Ong said of the three interception returns for touchdowns. “That’s a tough way for Orange Lutheran to have to start. It gives our team all the momentum. Hats off to Brian Russell (defensive coordinator) for putting the girls in a great position.”

“Our team feeds off of energy so I think that helped,” Tessa Russell said. “Our rushers getting to the ball so quickly put a lot of pressure on the quarterback and that was helpful for me.”

Russell has 10 interceptions this season and has returned them for 191 yards. The 10 interceptions are tied for the most by a sophomore in Orange County.

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JSerra’s offense got going on the final possession of the first half. Quarterback Kate Meier capped a scoring drive with an 8-yard touchdown run to give the Lions a 25-0 lead at halftime.

The Lions added two touchdowns in the second half. JSerra scored on a hook-and-ladder play where Sterling Flores pitched the ball to GG Szczuka who ran it in for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Flores intercepted a pass late in the third quarter and was rewarded for her defensive effort with a 16-yard touchdown catch from Meier to extend the lead to 38-0.

Meier threw for 267 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Kai Beary led the Lions in receiving with 64 yards on six catches.

Szczuka had two sacks to lead the defense and Abby VanderWeerd had a team-high seven flag pulls.

Claire Dahman and Josie Anderson had interceptions for Orange Lutheran and Ava Harrison had a batted down pass. Quarterback Alyssa McClure played the first half and converted some third down opportunities, but did not play in the second half.

JSerra has won 46 consecutive games dating back to last season and has not lost since Oct. 26, 2024. The Lions beat Orange Lutheran 27-6 earlier this season in the Chargers tournament on Aug. 15.

JSerra will take a brief trip to Northern California to play Menlo of Atherton Thursday before resuming Trinity League play against Santa Margarita on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

“This is a good confidence boost, but at the end of the day, we take it one game at a time,” Tessa Russell said. “Tomorrow, this isn’t going to mean anything. We have to go out to Menlo, execute again and keep working.”

Orange Lutheran hosts Mater Dei in its next game on Tuesday, Sept. 29. The Lancers beat Mater Dei 19-12 in the first meeting between the two teams this season.

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