Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Just ask East Union flag football coach Steve Jackson.
Since surrendering a big lead late in his team’s first meeting with Sierra on Thursday, Sept. 18 and losing a heartbreaker, the Lancers have not lost with the rematch of Tuesday night with the Timberwolves weighing heavy on their minds.
Tuesday’s game was never in doubt, as East Union rolled to a 26-0 Valley Oak League win at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium. The win keeps the Lancers alone in first place with a big game against Central Catholic looming.
“The last couple of weeks, we have been playing with a chip on our shoulder after what happened the last time we played Sierra,” Lancers coach Steve Jackson said. “We were up 19-6 late, and they ended up coming back and getting us 26-19, which kind of hurt, so the girls were looking to get them back.
“We have been kind of playing with some fire and looking forward to this opportunity to play the defending league champs.”
Julianna Gaspar (26 of 41 passing, 40; nine carries, 40 yards) directed the offense for East Union (7-1 VOL, 12-5 overall), running for a 2-yard touchdown and hitting Larissa Harries (four receptions, 64 yards) with a 3-yard scoring pass.
“The chemistry we have both on and off the field really helped get us started,” Gaspar said. “And we all have each other’s backs and keep each other going.”
Harries (three pulls) added a 15-yard interception return to give the Lancers a 19-0 halftime lead.
“It was a big game,” Harries said. “The town was all looking forward for this game, so we all knew we had to show up and show out.
“It was a lot of pressure, but pressure is a privilege. We just came out and executed like we have been practicing.”
Caliyah Lopez (14 receptions, 70 yards; three pulls) snagged two interceptions for East Union, the second coming midway through the fourth quarter for the final score of the game.
“This game meant a lot,” Lopez said. “When I step on that field, I am not just playing for myself but also the team.”
The Lancers’ Gwen Baker tallied 55 yards on seven receptions and Avina Harrington added 49 yards on two catches.
East Union’s Makayla Burlingame added three pulls and Gwen Baker two.
Maitland Kohoutek was 9 of 16 passing for 130 yards for Sierra (5-3, 8-7) and Taylor Zalunardo was 5 of 6 passing for 41 yards. Felisa Cruz-Olenhouse pulled in four receptions for 76 yards, Sofia Montes added 26 yards on two receptions and Zoe Sutton 48 yards on two catches.
“They did a good job against us,” Timberwolves coach Chris Zalunardo said. “They did a good job executing on offense and finding holes in our defense.
“So, hats off to them.”
Sierra’s Zhanee Sutton posted 10 pulls, Peyton Duarte, Margeil Garcia and Kileyann O’Neill seven apiece with three for Mia Aguirre. Cruz-Olenhouse grabbed an interception.
On Thursday the Lancers host Central Catholic, and next Tuesday the Timberwolves travel to Central Catholic with both games at 7 p.m.
