On the final play of the game Thursday night, Manteca’s Gaby Leon went up in a crowd and pulled the ball down for the walk-off conversion catch in a thrilling 13-12 double-overtime Valley Oak League flag football victory over visiting Sierra at Guss Schmiedt Field.
Leon (five receptions, 70 yards) scored both touchdowns for the Buffaloes (5-2 VOL, 10-6 overall).
“It was great to be able to do what we do in practice here in the game,” Leon said. “And let people see what we do.”
Lily Dundas directed the Buffaloes offense, completing 20-of-41 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
“I was really nervous on that last PAT,” Dundas said. “But I had faith in her.”
Myah Hayter was a two-way standout for Manteca with three interceptions to go with her five receptions for 70 yards.
“I tried to stay back and use what the coaches have taught me,” Hayter said. “And remember everything so when I saw the ball I just went for it.”
Sari Lawson added 41 yards on four receptions for the Buffaloes with Keira McCulley pulling down four catches for 29 yards. Lawson tallied six flag pulls, Kailee Jackson five and McCulley three. Ramiya Nelson grabbed three interceptions.
“That was a great team victory,” Manteca coach William Riddick said. “We did good in all phases – offense, defense and special teams.”
The Timberwolves (5-2, 8-6) got their touchdown in regulation on a Kileyann O’Neill interception returned for a touchdown. Tessa Zalunardo (6-of-12 passing, 24 yards; 10 carries, 57 yards) scored a touchdown on an 8-yard, fourth-down run on the first possession of the second overtime.
“It was a defensive battle with them just like our first game,” Sierra coach Chris Zalunardo said. “We just couldn’t get it going on offense, and it came down to a PAT at the end of the game.”
O’Neill added eight pulls, Zhanee Sutton five with Maitland Kohoutek (seven receptions, 33 yards) snagging three interceptions and Peyton Duarte one.
The Timberwoves host East Union on Tuesday and Manteca travels to Mountain House next Thursday. Both games are at 7 p.m.
