Monarchs, Eagles claim flag thriilers

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: September 16, 2026

Mable O'Farrell receiver (far right) scores a touchdown vs. Mountain Empire. / Nick Pellegrino

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL

East County Sports staff report

MONTE VISTA 28, SAGE CREEK 19

SPRING VALLEY — Things are turning around for Monte Vista flag football.

After a hastily assembled 2025 season resulted in a 1-15 record, the Monarchs are beginning to see the rewards of their work.

On Tuesday (Sept. 15), Monte Vista won consecutive games for the first time in school history, rallying past visiting Sage Creek of Carlsbad, 28-19, at Monarchs Stadium.

The Monarchs improved to 3-4 overall, moving within one victory of the .500 mark.

Monte Vista seized control with touchdowns just before and immediately after halftime.

Trailing 12-7 in the final minute of the first half, Monarchs quarterback Jenna Stone fired a touchdown pass to Alenka Padilla, helping Monte Vista take a 14-12 halftime lead.

The Monarchs received the second-half kickoff and struck on their first play from scrimmage.

Aubrianna “Bri” Lowe, also known for her work on Monte Vista’s track relay squad, raced 65 yards for a touchdown. Lowe broke to the left, juked a linebacker and outran the Sage Creek secondary.

Stone later helped put the game away with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Lanyah Collins early in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, Monte Vista’s defense limited the Bobcats to one touchdown over the final three quarters.

Lowe added two other runs of more than 20 yards, finishing with a career-high total of more than 100 rushing yards.

MORE TO COME

GRANITE HILLS 26, RAMONA 20

EL CAJON — Granite Hills rallied from a six-point deficit in the final three minutes to defeat visiting Ramona, 26-20, in a nonleague contest Tuesday (Sept. 15) at Valley Stadium.

The Eagles’ late comeback began on defense.

Trailing 20-14, Granite Hills received a crucial interception from Olivia Cirar, who returned the ball to the Bulldogs’ 18-yard line.

Two Ramona penalties on the same play helped move the Eagles closer. Quarterback Taylor Nash then faked a pass and ran around the left side for the tying touchdown.

The conversion pass was dropped, leaving the teams deadlocked at 20-20.

Granite Hills’ defense quickly forced a three-and-out, giving the Eagles the ball again with approximately 18 seconds remaining and a chance to win in regulation.

The Eagles finished with the victory, although details of the decisive touchdown were not available at publication.

Both teams are 5-3 overall. The head-to-head victory over the Palomar League-leading Bulldogs could help Granite Hills when playoff seedings are determined.

MORE TO COME

MABLE O’FARRELL 77, MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 0

SKYLINE — Mable O’Farrell Charter scored on a 65-yard touchdown on the opening play, beginning a record-setting afternoon in a 77-0 home victory over Mountain Empire on Tuesday (Sept. 15).

The Caimans also scored on the first play of each of their next three possessions — four plays, four touchdowns — to build a 26-0 lead.

The advantage grew to 33-0 after the first quarter, when officials instituted a running clock.

O’Farrell’s 77 points established a CIF San Diego Section single-game scoring record, surpassing the 75 scored by Classical Academy of Escondido in a 75-6 victory over Mater Dei Catholic to open the 2024 season.

AROUND THE COUNTY

MONDAY

AROUND THE COUNTY

SWEETWATER 32, ORANGE GLEN 13 — Maribel Vazquez accounted for both Orange Glen touchdowns, but the Patriots fell to Sweetwater.

Vazquez rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown while passing for 55 yards and another score. Joselyn Tecolapa finished with 45 receiving yards for Orange Glen.

DEL NORTE 41, SAGE CREEK 6 — Katelyn Maley threw for 197 yards and five touchdowns, adding 50 rushing yards as the Nighthawks rolled past Sage Creek.

Lauren Holmes contributed 79 rushing yards and three touchdowns for Del Norte.

RAMONA 30, ESCONDIDO 0 — Elisa Gaines passed for 219 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Bulldogs blank the Cougars following a scoreless first half.

Ramona paired Gaines’ passing performance with a defensive shutout to complete the convincing victory, taking a 20-0 lead after three quarters.

The Bulldogs remain in first place in the Palomar League.

MORE STORIES AS GAME INFORMATION AND STATISTICS BECOME AVAILABLE