2023 Flag Football Week 13B: Bonita Vista & Classical Are Champions
The San Diego Section winners were not a surprise, just the scores. Matches to decide ultimate bragging rights are expected to be nail biters when teams that average 25-30 points per game collide. You know the old adage about “assume”.
DIVISION I
Bonita Vista shut out erstwhile undefeated Torrey Pines, 19-0. Lady Barons quarterback Malyna Castillo, who passed for more than 3,300 yards in the regular season, tossed a touchdown pass to Quintera Lucia, then added two more. The defense stifled the Lady Falcons, with 2 interceptions by Mahliya Wilson, who also caught a touchdown pass.
MaxPreps national rankings has five California teams in the top 10, and 10 in the top 20; Bonita Vista (19-1) is seventh, and Torrey Pines (16-1) 14th. Each expects to be a contender next season.
DIVISION II
Classical Academy scored early and often, with frosh quarterback Ella Moore passing for five touchdowns to four different receivers, including two to Jiselle Nuñes, in a 50-0 rout of Cathedral Catholic.
The Lady Caimans’ defense added a touchdown pass off an interception as well.
With a freshman signal caller and young receivers, the Lady Caimans (17-2) figure to be an annual contender. They’re ranked 20th in the state and 38th nationally.
Cathedral finished the season with a 13-3 record.
THE FUTURE
CIF San Diego section bosses said the number of teams participating in 2024 is “expected to double” from 46 to perhaps more than 90. In comparison, 99 boys football teams are active in 2023, from 34 when the section was formed in 1960.
A game officials crunch could be a problem, as flag teams may play up to 20 games, often two per week. Boys games are limited to 10 per regular season.
Future of the youth flag sport is bright and has been promoted for all ages by the National Football League. The International Olympic Committee added men’s and women’s flag football to the 2028 games.
—Henrik Jonson, Webmaster