Surge survive OT, go to Dallas for semi

By ECS Staff
Updated: June 18, 2017

Surge players celebrate following the victory.

2017 SAN DIEGO SURGE WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

From staff and wire reports

CLOVIS (6-18-2017) – In a contest with so many storylines, the San Diego Surge women’s football team advanced to the national semifinals of the Women’s Football Alliance by outlasting the previously unbeaten Central Cal War Angels, 35-34 in overtime, Saturday (June 17).

The contest was held at Clark School after Fresno City College’s historic Ratcliffe Stadium became unavailable.

The Surge will next meet the Midwest Region champion Dallas Elite in a Final Four pairing, to be played in Southlake, Texas, on Sat., July 8. The stadium was recently the site of national boys high school record for the mile (3:59.30).

For the Surge, just getting to the American Conference final was considered a bit of a miracle.

In six seasons of Surge football, the ballclub lost just twice at home — both this season to the Pacific Warriors and the War Angels. But in postseason play, the third-place Surge vanquished both, winning 51-30 in L.A., then going to the Central Valley for their first-ever overtime affair.

Down 12-0, Surge quarterback Melissa Gallegos found Kaycee Clark for a touchdown, then Dejanae Harvey rumbled 90 yards for a score and a 13-12 lead with 1:49 left until intermission. However, Central Cal scores on the final play of the first half for a 20-13 lead.

Harvey then scored another Surge touchdown to tie it at 20-20 late in the third quarter, but Central Cal responded on its next drive to take a 28-20 advantage with 13 minutes remaining.

San Diego finally forced overtime on a Deana Guidry touchdown reception with 40.4 second to play. A 2-point conversion sent the game to extra time.

Although the WFA plays mostly by NFL rules, they utilized the NCAA college overtime rules, thus both teams receive a possession.

Central Cal scored on its time with the ball, but missed the kick. So when San Diego also scored a TD, but made the kick, they were able to punch their ticket to Texas.