Spears, Schellenberg fuel fast Pats start

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: September 18, 2026

Christian High Patriots flag football team. / Nick Pellegrino

2026 EAST COUNTY FLAG FOOTBALL

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS senior writer

Leah Spears

EL CAJON — The debut of Christian High girls flag football saw the Patriots grab a 26-19 debut triumph over host Canyon Hills in Tierrasanta… and the Rattlers wanted payback.

Switching from a medium-range passing game to throws of the shorter variety, Canyon Hills marched 65 yards on the game’s opening drive to take a 7-0 advantage.

“We made some changes, too,” noted Patriots defensive captain Leah Speers. “We’ve moved many of our defenders to different positions, then made adjustments and changed how we covered their receivers.”

Standing next to Spears at the post-game media gathering was Pats quarterback Kirra Schellenberg, a sophomore, who interjected a compliment on a question directed toward Spears about which position the sophomore plays.

Kira Schellenberg

“All of them,” Schellenberg mused, “We can put Leah anywhere needed and she makes plays for us.”

The alterations proved fruitful on Thursday (Sept. 17).

Led by Spears of defense, plus three touchdown passes by Schellenberg, Christian remained unbeaten this season with a 19-7 come-from-behind verdict over the “Q-Dawgs.”

While Spears & Co. were posting a shutout for the final 33 minutes, Schellenberg found Jazmyn Bugg on a long pass down the sideline to trim the deficit to 7-6, then Spears caught the go-ahead scoring pass for a 12-7 halftime lead.

Both sides were scoreless in the thid period, as Christian stopped Canyon Hills from reclaiming the lead after advancing into the Patriots red zone. Five plays later, Schellenberg fired her third tuchdown pass to receiver Grace Steele to ice the victory.

As for the ballclub’s fast start, optimism is soaring.

“It’s been amazing, for our first year, we’re working hard, playing pretty well,” Schellenberg added.

Holding a 3-0 record, many would imagine there would be a potential invitation to the postseason.

“It’s been pretty exciting,” noted Spears, a junior. “However, we can’t go to the playoffs.”

According to CIF rules instituted a decade ago, a school must participate in a league to be worthy of postseason eligibility; the Patriots are playing as an independent this season.

Still, Christian’s prognosis for the near future remains bright.

Monte Vista 12, Vista 6

SPRING VALLEY — The disastrous 2025 expansion season is not a memory for Monte Vista.

The Monarchs reached the .500 plateau after posting their school record third consecutive triumph after pasting the Vista Panthers.

Monte Vista (4-4 overall) seeks to extend its hot streak when hosting the Mar Vista Mariners of Imperial Beach on Tuesday (Sept. 22) at 6 p.m.

Helix 46, Valhalla 6

LA MESA — A trio of first-quarter touchdowns equated to an early 19-0 lead for the Helix Highlanders on Senior Night at Benton Hart Stadium.

Helix moves to 6-1 overall; Valhalla is winless in 8 starts.

Liberty Charter 33, at Mountain Empire 14

BUCKMAN Liberty Charter of Alpine is the current ruler of San Diego County’s back country following Thursday’s (Sept. 17) road victory at Mountain Empire,

The Lions remain unbeaten following four contests. The RedHawks may be winless in four starts, but the improving offense hit the scoreboard with their first pair of touchdowns on the season.

Senior quarterback Elysa Cisneros fired the first two touchdowns in RedHawks history, connecting with senior Avianna Woodley (8 receptions, 60 yards; both school records) and junior Mikailah Bartz (2-40) for scores.

Mountain Empire’s flag-pulling leaders for The Empire were Woodley (9) and Abi Walker (7, including a sack). Junior linebacker Mia Quevedo posted 10 return yards on her interception.

At press time, Liberty Charter did not report statistics or game information.

Patrick Henry 21, Logan Memorial 6

BARRIO LOGAN — Patrick Henry, which was shut out in its last pair of outings, hopped out of a slump by taking a 21-6 road victory at Logan Memorial in a non-league affair.

The Patriots moved to 5-3 overall; the Eagles dropped to 3-8.

Mira Mesa 12, Steele Canyon 0

JAMUL — The two most improved flag football clubs in the CIF-San Diego Section seem to be the leaders of the Western League: Scripps Ranch and Mira Mesa.

On Thursday (Sept. 17), it was the Marauders turn to stop Steele Canyon, posting a 12-0 blanking of the Cougars,

Mira Mesa, which is tied for the most wins in CIF-SDS play at 12-4 overall. has won 7-of-8 since falling to Scripps Ranch, 19-12, in the battle for first place in the Western League.

Meanwhile, Steele Canyon (6-6) is the lone Grossmont Hills League program with a winning record entering league play next Tuesday, hosting Granite Hills at 7 p.m.

Elsewhere

North County schools got the best of the East County in three contests:
Classical Academy 32, at Ramona 18
Coastal Academy 32, at El Capitan 18
Del Norte 34, El Cajon Valley 6

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