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Darling, Sultans deliver for victory
- 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
