MISSION VIEJO — After starting the season with two victories in their first 11 games, the Mission Viejo girls flag football team didn’t look like a team that was headed for the CIF-SS playoffs.
Then the Diablos went on a roll, hung tough against high-caliber Alpha League opponents and earned an at-large spot in Division 3 of the playoffs.
After winning its first three playoff games, Mission Viejo’s season ended Saturday, when Roosevelt came away with a 13-12 overtime victory over the Diablos in the CIF-SS semifinals at Mission Viejo High School.
“We thought we were prepared for them,” Mission Viejo coach Darrel Letcher said. “They have some incredible athletes on their team. They didn’t get this far without having a good team.”
Roosevelt (14-10) will play La Serna for the Division 3 championship on Saturday, Nov. 8, at El Modena High School.
Defense had been the hallmark for the Diablos (17-15) all season and that was the case Saturday when Roosevelt was held scoreless for more than three quarters.
The Diablos’ first touchdown was scored by their defense when defensive back Hayden Lambert intercepted a pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown.
With just under nine minutes remaining in the game, the Mustangs scored on a 9-yard pass from Karissa Green to Lotolelei Sivas to tie the score at 6-6 after the missed conversion try.
“Her football IQ has gotten better over the years,” Roosevelt coach Jennifer Constuble said of Green. “Just understanding who she needs to throw to and trusting our routes. She had some pretty good throws tonight.”
The Diablos threw an interception on the ensuing drive but got another possession with just under two minutes remaining in the game.
However, the Diablos only converted one first down before time ran out in regulation.
Roosevelt had the first possession in overtime and scored on a 20-yard pass from Green to Sivas and then added a point on Emma Goodland’s 2-yard run to give the Mustangs a 13-6 lead.
Mission Viejo took over and scored on 7-yard pass from Bailey McNeil to Elena Doyle to get the Diablos to within one point.
But the Diablos’ pass on the conversion attempt was incomplete, giving the Mustangs the victory.
“We studied film all week and we knew who we had to pinpoint and who we really had to babysit,” Roosevelt coach Jennifer Constuble said.
Mission Viejo’s offense was held scoreless for all eight offensive possessions in regulation.
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