Scotts Valley senior Claire Skinner hauled in a touchdown reception and extra point attempt to help the North All-Stars defeat the South All-Stars, 13-7, in the inaugural Central Coast Flag Football All-Star Game at Santa Cruz High School on Jan. 26.
Watsonville senior quarterback Lazo connected with Skinner on a 2-yard pass in the end zone, giving the North Team a 7-0 lead with 11:40 remaining in the second quarter.
Lazo struck again in the second stanza with a pass to Aptos senior Izzy Graff who took it 44 yards for a touchdown, and a 13-0 lead going into halftime.
Team South got on the scoreboard in the third quarter when Alisal senior quarterback Jasmine Estrada tossed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Salinas receiver Natalie Jimenez. Hollister senior receiver Jasayla Mariscal caught the 1-point conversion that cut the deficit at 13-7.
Other local athletes on Team North included Aptos senior Mia Sanchez, St. Francis senior Mia Guardino, Scotts Valley seniors Jazzy Doubek, Taylor Wilson and Soraya Westlund, and Watsonville senior Brianna Leon.
Most Valuable Player trophies were handed out to one player from the North and South All-Star teams. Soquel senior Trinity Wilson earned North MVP honors, while Mariscal was named the South’s top player.
The fun-filled event—presented by the Reggie Stephens Foundation and the Gino Panelli Foundation—featured a skills competition and the game, which had rules changed from regular season.
The most notable rule change was they played four 15-minute quarters on a full-size—length and width—football field. The skills competition was three events that were held before the all-star game. Each winner received gift cards for Erik’s Deli Café.
Graff and Mariscal tied for first in the 40-yard dash. Graff ran 5.0 seconds in her first two tries, and Westlund finished in 5.4 and 5.3, which resulted in a fourth place finish out of sixth.
Wilson was first in the passing accuracy event. She hit the target on the first two of three markers, beating out Lazo and fellow teammate Doubek.
There also was a passing competition with quarterback and receiver duos versus an opposing defensive back. The North Team won that event.
Central Coast Flag Football All-Star Rosters
Team North
Izzy Graff, Aptos, DB/RB
Mia Sanchez, Aptos, DB
Juliet Ray, Harbor, WR/DB
Mia Guardino, St. Francis, CT
Malia Cooper, Santa Cruz, LB/CT
Kat Fanni, Santa Cruz, WR/DB
Hayden Mandell, Santa Cruz, RB/DB
Jazzy Doubek, Scotts Valley, LB
Claire Skinner, Scotts Valley, DE/WR
Soraya Westlund, Scotts Valley, DB
Taylor Wilson, Scotts Valley, WR
Siena Bettermann, Soquel, DB/WR
Ashlyn Brady, Soquel, WR
Chloe McGilvray, Soquel, WR/S
Trinity Wilson, Soquel, RB/DB
Fernanda Lazo, Watsonville, QB/SS
Brianna Leon, Watsonville, LB/WR
Team South
Jasmine Estrada, Alisal QB
Aileen Gonzalez, Alisal, DB
Mia Briano, Hollister, DE
Bianca Guerra, Hollister, LB/WR/RB
Jasayla Mariscal, Hollister WR
Jazmin Rubio, Hollister, CT
Samantha Muniz, King City, LB/WR
Yesenia Rodriguez, King City, DB
Piper Gallego, North Monterey County, WR
Bryley Pemberton, North Monterey County, DE
Peyton Phillips, North Monterey County, CT
Ashley Torres, North Monterey County, DB
Isa Valadez, North Monterey County, RB
Allison Guerra, Palma, QB
Kylee Parker, Palma, LB
Emily Aguilar, Salinas QB
Audrina Alderete, Salinas, WR/RB
Natalie Jimenez, Salinas, WR/RB
Janelle Ramirez, Salinas, DB
