Darling, Sultans deliver in comeback

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: August 25, 2026

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FLAG FOOTBALL

ECS staff report

SANTEE — During the first two seasons of girls flag football, no Grossmont Conference program lost more one-score games — including a half-dozen by a single point — than Santana.

The reason was simple: The Sultans struggled with extra-point conversions.

That problem has continued this season, with Santana going 0-for-6 on conversion attempts through two games. But this time, the missed opportunities did not prevent the Sultans from prevailing.

Quarterback Ava Darling threw three touchdown passes as Santana twice regained the lead to nip visiting Otay Ranch, 18-15, in non-league action Monday (Aug. 24) at Santee Community Stadium.

Darling gave Santana a 6-0 lead with a first-quarter touchdown pass, although the Sultans failed on the conversion.

Otay Ranch moved ahead 7-6 early in the second quarter before Darling answered with a short touchdown pass to sophomore Brielle “Breezy” Udvarhelyi. The reception by No. 23 gave the Sultans a 12-7 advantage.

Udvarhelyi made the catch in the far-right corner of the end zone, but another failed conversion left Santana with a five-point lead.

Otay Ranch cornerback Anissa Olivo also made her presence felt. Olivo broke up approximately a half-dozen first-half passes before the Sultans began directing their throws toward the opposite side of the field.

The Mustangs regained the lead on a touchdown pass with 1:27 remaining in the third quarter. Their missed conversion left Otay Ranch ahead 13-12 entering the fourth.

Darling delivered her third touchdown pass in the final period, putting Santana back in front, 18-13. Otay Ranch intercepted the ensuing conversion attempt and returned it for two points, trimming the margin to 18-15.

Santana’s defense protected the three-point advantage the rest of the way, handing Otay Ranch (2-1) its first loss of the season.

The Sultans (1-1) join El Cajon Valley and Monte Vista with the best non-league records among Grossmont Valley League teams. Valhalla is 0-2, while West Hills has yet to report a result this season, including Monday’s road game at Olympian.

Santana returns to action Wednesday (Aug. 26), hosting University City (1-1) at 7 p.m.

— Nick Pellegrino

Elsewhere

West Hills 20, Olympian 0

CHULA VISTA — The West Hills Wolf Pack registered a hockey-like hat trick with three different scores — one passing, one rushing, one on defense — in shutting out host Olympian, 2-0, on Monday (Aug. 2

Alanna Diebold, a senior, led the way with an interception return for a touchdown. She also set school single-game records with a 45-yard punt and a 40.0 punting average for the contest.

The other scores saw running back Kiara Rabaya record 81 rushing yards, including a score from near midfield in a 38-yard burst.

The other Wolf Pack score saw freshman Sierra Stafford haul in a touchdown pass in her first career outing, finishing with two receptions on passes from sophomore quarterback Kharissa Cepeda.

Mira Mesa 26, Patrick Henry 18
MIRA MESA — The experience factor was the difference in the fourth quarter as Mira Mesa — already playing its eighth ballgame — scored in the final minutes to down visiting Patrick Henry (1-1).

The victor avenged a pair of narrow defeats to the Patriots from last season (4 and 7 points), despite Mira Mesa finally finishing as runner-up in the Western League to Cathedral Catholic.

Patrick Henry (1-1) did not report.

Around the County

Point Loma 32, San Pasqual 0 — Emma Rosenberg passed for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Eva Cruz rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown, while Sophia Vanin-Valley had 39 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Cathedral Catholic 31, Clairemont 6 — Sabrina Jutronich passed for 164 yards and three touchdowns while adding a 10-yard touchdown run for CCHS.