Big-time matchups for Division 1 flag football semifinals

It’s the third season of women’s flag football in California, with athletes and teams getting better and better, raising expectations for Saturday’s Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. Undefeated JSerra plays at Dos Pueblos and defending champion Orange Lutheran hosts Huntington Beach.

Dos Pueblos (24-2) faces the toughest task, trying to defeat a 26-0 JSerra team that owns two wins over No. 2 seed Orange Lutheran. The good news for Dos Pueblos is that it has already proven it can compete with the best, having taken Orange Lutheran to overtime early in the season before losing.

“We can definitely say we played against the best,” Dos Pueblos coach Doug Caines said. “They have crazy athletic girls.”

Dos Pueblos will need to avoid turnovers, relying on quarterback Kacey Hurley to stay away from interceptions. She has 4,603 passing yards and 84 touchdowns. Brooklyn Hendricks is the team’s standout receiver.

The other semifinal involving the Orange County teams will determine whether Orange Lutheran can repeat as champions behind quarterback Makena Cook. Huntington Beach is 25-1. The Oilers’ only loss was against Newport Harbor. Roxie Shaia made an impact at quarterback and on defense.

The winners advance to next weekend’s final at Fred Kelly Stadium, next to El Modena High.

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