San Clemente won the CIF Southern Section Division 2 girls flag football championship Saturday, Nov. 7, beating Gahr 35-34 at Huntington Beach High in the first overtime game played in the section’s finals. Junior receiver Giselle Nacelli delivered the winning point with a diving conversion reception, ending Gahr’s bid for its first CIF-SS flag football title.
Gahr struck first in overtime when junior Mylia Garcia caught a 2-yard touchdown pass for a 34-28 advantage. The Gladiators then missed their 1-point conversion attempt, their only decision to pursue one point instead of two during the game. San Clemente answered with junior Catalina Sarasua’s 3-yard touchdown reception before Nacelli caught the decisive conversion.
The victory lifted San Clemente’s record to 14-9. Gahr ended its season at 18-7 and took home the Division 2 runner-up plaque. First-year Gladiators coach Marnello Berry fought back tears afterward. “We fought hard until the end,” he said, expressing pride in his players despite the defeat.
Nacelli opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run that gave the Tritons a 6-0 lead with 3:31 remaining in the first quarter. Garcia responded with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown with 11:51 left in the second. Gahr added a 2-point conversion to move ahead 8-6, then extended its lead to 14-6 on sophomore running back Ta’Lia Johnson’s 14-yard touchdown catch with 49 seconds before halftime.
San Clemente drew level in the third quarter after Nacelli intercepted Gahr junior quarterback Maliah Gomez with 7:22 remaining. Nacelli followed the takeaway with a 1-yard touchdown run and a 2-point conversion, bringing the score to 14-14 with 6:02 left in the period.
Gahr regained control early in the fourth quarter. Facing fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line, Johnson ran for a touchdown with 11:41 remaining. Senior running back Devynn Gourdine added the 2-point conversion for a 22-14 lead. A deep touchdown pass to Sarasua brought San Clemente within two points, but the Tritons failed on their conversion attempt.
Sarasua then intercepted Gomez near the Gahr quarterback’s own end zone. Freshman receiver Mary Camblin’s 8-yard touchdown catch gave San Clemente a 28-22 advantage with 6:43 left. Gahr answered through sophomore Ella Omar, whose 8-yard scoring reception tied the game at 28 with 2:07 remaining. Gomez’s subsequent 2-point pass attempt to Garcia fell incomplete.
San Clemente moved downfield on its next possession, but Gahr held at its 6-yard line to force overtime. Garcia’s second touchdown of the game briefly put the Gladiators back in front before the Tritons completed their winning response.
Garcia described the loss as a learning experience after Gahr missed opportunities to secure the championship. Berry also looked toward another chance next season. “We’ll try to get the championship next year,” he said. “We’ll be back.”
