Eagle Rock Tops Panorama City in Intense Flag Football Clash

PANORAMA CITY – Eagle Rock defeated Panorama City in what could be called the valley’s fall classic – of flag football that is. It is that time of year after all. The stage is set. The sweatshirts and blankets in the stands have determined it’s officially autumn in LA and two undefeated teams were going head-to-head against the backdrop of mountains silhouetted by an unfiltered sunset which is synonymous with an LA fall.

There was a lot on the line as the Eagle Rock Eagles (13-0) took the field against the Panorama Pythons (19-0). This was a defensive classic by two teams who are ranked among the best in that category, and a 13-6 final was only fitting.

A player in a white and green uniform carries a football while being pursued by opposing players in black uniforms during a flag football game at night.

The opening coin flip determined Panorama would begin with possession to start and a change in the scoreboard was looming. In their first drive down the field, Pythons quarterback Yadhira Hermenegildo, who entered the night #1 in the city for passing yards, connected with Livier Andrade, the #4 receiver in the nation in receiving yards, for the first touchdown of the game. The Pythons take a quick, early lead at 6-0. The extra point was not converted and the score remains.

A player from the Panorama Pythons catches a football while being pursued by two Eagle Rock defenders during a flag football game.

Eagle Rock’s first possession of the game was stopped by the defense surrendering the least points per game in the City. An interception by Camila Maldonado made it seem as if Panorama was taking command, setting the tone and speed for the game. However, the Eagles have the second best defense and the Pythons were unable to convert on that possession. The first quarter ended the way it began, 6-0 Panorama City.

The start of the second quarter proved to be different. Eagle Rock came out quick as quarterback Nylah Moore, 1^st in the city in passing yards, found Chloe Maez who ran it in to score for the Eagles making the score tied at 6-6, following a missed extra point.

A flag football game in progress with players from Eagle Rock and Panorama City. One player in a white jersey is running while attempting to evade two defenders in black jerseys.

Panorama’s next possession looked promising as they proceeded down the field, before a Hermenegildo pass was intercepted by Camila Loria – remember that name. The Eagles took possession, and with 1:27 left on the clock in the first half, faced 3^rd and goal when a timeout was called by Panorama. The stoppage didn’t stop the momentum. Back in action from the seven-yard line, Chloe Lautman scored for Eagle Rock. Moore ran it in for the extra point making the score 6-13. The half wasn’t over yet and the Pythons had an opportunity to answer back. With 11 seconds left on the clock, Panorama’s possession was quickly ended by an interception from Kyla Sia. The momentum has shifted and the score at the end of the half was Panorama 6, Eagle Rock 13.

A female flag football player from Eagle Rock is attempting to evade two defenders from Panorama City while gripping the football on a grassy field during an evening game.

“I think it’s important to recognize that all my offensive people can catch.” said Eagles head coach Julie Wilkins. “So it’s kind of hard to see who am I going to guard? Yeah, kind of like that. So they all step up at different times,”

The second half began with Eagle Rock receiving possession. The Eagles converted several first downs as Moore, Chloe Maez, and Kylar Sao were key players on this drive. The Eagles drove into goal line territory and faced a 4^th and goal with 5:03 left in the third Panorama called a time out. That timeout proved to be useful as the defense came up with a critical stop. Panorama took possession with 30 seconds left in the quarter with the score remaining 6-13.

A player from the Eagle Rock team leaps to catch a football during a flag football game against Panorama City, with teammates and a referee in the background.

Defense continued to be tough through the second half for both teams and was crucial for the home team, if they were going to have any chance of coming from behind.

Following another defensive stand,Eagle Rock began the fourth quarter with offensive possession. This drive stalled as Andrade and Hermenegildo proved integral in stopping the Eagles’ offense. The Pythons had their opportunity to tie or take the lead with two minutes left in the game. They faced a critical 4^th down, and the Eagle Rock defensive pressure forced Hermenegildo into a rushed throw that fell incomplete.

A quarterback from the Panorama Pythons prepares to throw a football while being pursued by defenders during a flag football game.

With just one minute left Eagle Rock took over with Panorama hoping to force a turnover. The clock wound down and the game was over. One undefeated team goes home defeated following what turned out, unsurprisingly, to be a very intense, well-played, well-earned game.

Wilkins nominated two players of the game in wide receiver Camila Loria and defensive back Sophia Thompson. Those two said it best afterwards, “Everybody contributed in their own way to this game. And everybody worked hard all the way until the very end. Never never giving up. Always communicating. talking with our defensive coach what we should do for the next play. and then just thinking ahead instead of thinking of the past.”

A player wearing an Eagle Rock uniform runs with the football while being pursued by a Panorama Pythons defender during a night flag football game.

Both teams return to their respective league play this Friday, October10. Eagle Rock will host Lincoln with a 7-3 record overall. Panorama hosts San Fernando who are 7-6 overall.

“I think we played a good game…on Friday, we just go back (sic) to the drawing board, try to execute a couple plays. Yeah. Wipe that, and I think we should be okay,” stated Pythons Head Coach Yancy Alvarenga.

Stay tuned.