Oct. 28, 2024

After a relatively slow start by their standards, the Hughson girls flag football team asserted itself Tuesday night, ripping off 39 points in a row on their way to an easy 45-20 victory over Mariposa in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 4 playoffs.

Playing under the lights on its home field, Hughson fell behind 6-0 and then 13-6 against the Grizzlies before quarterback Leah Hobby began connecting with her receivers and the Husky defense dug in.

“It took us a little bit to get adjusted to their offense and to see what defense would work,” said Hughson Coach Charly Garza. “We were better athletically, so it just took a little time for that to make the difference.”

The victory moves Hughson (14-6) into the quarterfinals at 6 p.m. Thursday at Husky Stadium against a familiar Trans-Valley League foe – Hilmar. The Yellowjackets (9-13), seeded 15th in the 16-team Division 4 tournament, upset No. 2 seed Dixon 32-16 on Tuesday.

Hughson and Hilmar met twice this season, with the Huskies winning easily both times -- 26-0 on Sept. 26 and 31-6 on Oct. 9.

Though admittedly shocked by Hilmar’s victory, Garza said his players know better than to assume a third win over the Yellowjackets will be easy.

“They’ve done a good job of not taking teams for granted and looking past anybody,” said Garza of his team. “We need to play to our standard and execute. We tell them, ‘Be where you’re supposed to be on offense and defense with intensity and speed.’ We’ve also changed some stuff up to have different options off plays. You’ve got to stay fresh. We’re pretty confident.”

That confidence showed on both sides of the ball Tuesday night against Mariposa in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

Down 13-6, Hobby and the offense found their rhythm. She connected on 14 of 28 passes for 198 yards and five touchdowns – two to Presley Wells and one each to Raegan Barstow, Morgan Bleakley and Peyton Avila.

Wells and Barstow both had interceptions on defense, with Barstow returning hers for a touchdown late in the second quarter to give Hughson a 20-13 lead at halftime.

The third quarter was highlighted by Keylee Lundquist’s 30-yard rushing touchdown on an option play for the Huskies. Hobby ran 10 yards up field to the left, then just before a defender could pull her flag, she pitched to Lundquist, who ran the final 20 yards to the end zone.

Hughson led 45-13 before Mariposa scored a late touchdown.

A win against Hilmar on Halloween night would push Hughson into the Division 4 semifinals next Wednesday against the winner of the quarterfinal game between No. 3 seed Orestimba (20-6) and No. 11 Destiny Christian Academy (10-9) of Sacramento.

Orestimba finished in a three-way tie for the TVL title with Hughson and Escalon. The Huskies and Warriors split their two games in league, the most recent a 26-25 Orestimba victory in overtime last week that cost Hughson an outright TVL championship.         

“We’d sure like another shot at Orestimba,” Garza admitted. “The girls believe we blew the last game and we should have beaten them twice. It kind of leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. When we saw the bracket and realized we might play them again, we took that as extra motivation. We’d love to end their season. We really want that matchup, but first we’ve got to take care of business (against Hilmar).”