Sultans flag tipped in closing moments

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: August 24, 2025

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2025 EAST COUNTY GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior writer

SANTEE -In an extremely dirty performance by the visiting ballclub, Mission Hills finally got its act together in the closing minutes, scoring a late touchdown to nip host Santana, 20-18, in Monday’s (Aug. 18) non-league ballgame at Santee Community Stadium.

If the San Diego Section publishes a record book to the CIF’s newest sports, the Grizzlies might qualify as early, all-time,
single-game leader in penalties.

Mission Hills was “flagged” for: intentional tripping (leading to a stern warning of a game ejection if it occurred again), an illegal block, an illegal tackle for the dangerous move of “leaning” into an opponent (rather than going for the flag), three other personal fouls, plus other infractions.

In other words, the amount of penalty yards (and losses of downs) against the Grizzlies approached 100 yards.

Still, Santana maintained its cool and focus to rally from deficits of 7-0 and 13-6 to secure its initial lead early in the fourth quarter of its season opener.

Mission Hills scored with 2 1/2 minutes left to play to escape with the triumph.

The Sultans rally saw a key fourth-down sack by linebacker Karlee Vickery, preventing a Grizzlies score in the red zone.

The Grizz answered with their own interception, resulting in a short, 15-yard drive for the game’s opening
score.

However, a trio of touchdown passes by the Sultans quarterback keyed the much improved offense.

Santana’s passer connected with Brynn Warren on a 65-yard bomb midway through the first quarter. The quarterback rolled
slightly to her right to draw the defense, then fired the ball against the grain for a highlight-quality connection with Warren.

Mission Hills answered for a 13-6 lead through the first quarter — flag football is no longer playing two halves — but the Sultans defense then took over over the ensuing 2 1/2 quarters.

Included was an interception by a defensive back for Santana.

Meanwhile, Santana’s quarterback directed the Sultans offense to a pair of scores, both on TD passes to Kylee Aziz totalling 78
yards.

Mission Hills quarterback Izzy Medina fired a pair of TD passes, twice connecting with Faith Malufau, including a 10-yarded in the closing minutes.

The other Grizzlies score was a TD rush by Samantha Balderas, coming three plays after an interception.

Santana (9-10-1 in its debut campaign last season) continues its season-opening homestand Thursday (Aug. 21) at 5:30 p.m., entertaining Bonita
Vista, which captured the first CIFSDS championship in 2023.

The early advantage for Mission Hills (2-0) might have come since this was the second game for the Grizzlies.
They opened by blanking the Santa Monica Vikings, 30-0.

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Summary

GRIZZLIES 20, SULTANS 18
Mission Hills (2-0)... 13 0 0 7 - 20
Santana (0-1).......... 6 6 0 6 - 18

MH – Samantha Balderas 15 run (Samantha Balderas 1pt rush)
S- Brynn Warren 65 pass from No.32 (1-pt PAT failedf)
WH – Faith Malufau 10 pass from Izzy Medina (1pt pass failed)
S – Kylee Aziz pass from No.,32 (1py PAT failed)
S – Aziz pass from No.,32 (1py PAT failed)
MH – Malufau 10 pass from Medina (Lyndsey Rogers 1-pt pass from Medina)