Sonali Banerjee’s quarterback sack on Karisma Mendez in the late stages of the fourth quarter propelled the Pioneers to a narrow win over the Bears 

The John Burroughs Bears suffered another nail biting loss in their girls’ flag football season on Wednesday night, this time to the Simi Valley Pioneers, 13-7. Sonali Banerjee’s sack on Karisma Mendez helped the Pioneers escape with a six point victory over the Bears. Simi Valley was coming off a 41-34 victory over Oak Park in the first of their back-to-back with Burroughs coming off a tough 19-13 loss to Windward last Thursday.

Both defenses made plays to start the opening quarter as Leah Villatro intercepted Mendez on the Bears’ opening drive. The Burroughs defense responded and forced a three and out on the Pioneers first possession of the game following Villatro’s interception. Banerjee scored the game’s first touchdown of the game when she took a direct snap for 13 yards into the end zone for the only score in the opening quarter. 

While both teams were held to no points in the second quarter, the Bears and Pioneers defenses put on a show. Burroughs’ defense forced a turnover on downs on Simi Valley to start the second quarter and the Pioneers defense responded with forcing a three and out on the Bears offense. Simi Valley still led by six at the halftime break. 

Burroughs and Simi Valley also had an uneventful third quarter to start the second half as the defensive battle continued. Sabrina Coto intercepted Tegan Blackemore and revived hopes of helping the Bears get their offense going, but unfortunately, Burroughs’ offense went three and out. The Bears defense then forced a turn over on downs on the Pioneers. Simi Valley still led 6-0 heading into the final quarter of play. 

Although both offenses were quiet for the most part of the game, the Pioneers offense finally broke through with Blackmore finding Sonali Banerjee for a 64-yard touchdown pass to give Simi Valley some insurance. Blackmore hit Broolklyn Gomez in the end zone for the one-point try to give the Pioneers a 13-0 lead. The Bears finally got on the board when Mendez and Geneva Keifer connected for a 29-yard score. Mendez ran into the end zone for the one-point try to make the score 13-7. 

The Bears defense forced another turnover on downs and took possession with hopes of a game winning drive. Mendez connected with Geneva Keifer for a long pass play that took the offense down to the nine-yard line. That was the extent of the threat, as Banerjee pulled Mendez’s flag for a sack to seal the Pioneers 13-7 win over the Bears. 

“I knew this was an evenly matched game for both Burroughs and Simi Valley,”  said Keith Knoop “we left a few key points on the board that we should have capitalized.” Knoop also said the Bears defense played well for the most part, but wants the girls to be more aggressive with the flag pulling. 

Burroughs drops to 8-12 and Simi Valley improves to 7-11. The Bears will return to action on Monday night, October 6th to host Village Christian which will include a pregame ceremony honoring the senior class of 2026 for the John Burroughs High School girls flag football team. Simi Valley will take on Moorpark on Tuesday, October 7th at 7:15 p.m.