TRACY — Angelique Gonzalez, Larissa Harries and Keira McCulley participated in the first Lions All-Star Flag Football Game on Saturday, contributing to a dominant 44-6 win for the North squad at Tracy High’s Wayne Schneider Stadium.

“I’m very honored and very excited to be here,” Harries said. “For the first practice, I was very hyped. I had a lot of fun with these girls and meeting different people. I’m excited for next year. I’m probably going to come back to watch.”

“The competition was pretty good, even in practice. It was an amazing experience. Honestly, I love these girls, and I got very close to them. As we go off, hopefully we can stay in touch and still be friends for a long time.”

The North team scored 24 unanswered points and coasted in the second half.

Kimball graduate Emma Coronado was awarded Most Valuable Player. The North quarterback completed nine straight passes, at one point, finishing 13-of-20 for 248 yards, four touchdowns and a late interception. The Maxpreps All-State First Team selection also rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown.

St. Mary’s standout Sosefina Hunkin is Defensive Player of the Game with six flag pulls, a sack, three interceptions and a pick-six. She also had a 16-yard touchdown reception. Tracy’s Izabella Gutierrez got Offensive Player of the Game with two touchdowns, a 9-yard run and a 56-yard reception.

The historic event served were meaningful for each of the local products for different reasons.

Harries, the Valley Oak League MVP, was a key two-way contributor for the North, much like she was during the high school season for East Union.

The Lancers center/linebacker was one of five North players with a team-high two catches, with hers going for first-down gains of 17 and 22 yards. She also had an interception on defense and even picked off the South’s lone conversion try.

She’s hoping the week spent practicing and competing with fellow all-stars springboards her toward a scholarship from a four-year university in the sport. Harries’ plan is to attend Modesto Junior College to begin her studies in kinesiology next year, while training on the side.

“I’ve emailed a couple schools, and I’ll still be emailing some more, of course,” Harries said. “This isn’t it. I’ll be back out there.”

East Union teammate Caliyah Lopez was also selected but backed out because of prior commitments. She’s headed to San Francisco State for softball.

The all-star game served as validation for McCulley.

The Manteca grad has a verbal commitment to Hope International University in Fullerton, the reigning champion of the Great Southwest Athletic Conference.

Just two years ago, McCulley did not think that getting a scholarship for flag football would be possible for her.

“Coming in my junior year, that was my first time playing flag,” she said. “So, to look back at and see myself right now going to college and getting selected for the all-star game — it’s really amazing. All I can do is thank all my coaches for pushing me this far. I’m ecstatic, because I never even knew college was in the cards for me, so having this opportunity is amazing.”

In the Lions game, McCulley tallied three flag pulls, including one for a loss. Her biggest contribution does not show up on the stat sheet, however, and perhaps extends into the week of practice leading up to the contest.

She was named the North’s Most Inspirational Player. Pitman product Ivy Butler received the same award for the South.

“I was a little surprised getting this award,” McCulley said, while holding onto the newly-acquired plaque. “I always lift up my teammates. I think did what I was supposed to do on defense. Didn’t really get a chance on offense, but I think overall I did really well. I didn’t know this was an award, but it feels nice to get it. It makes me feel like I can continue to be a leader and be inspirational to people.”

For Gonzalez, it was a proper last hurrah, but also a chance to inspire returning and new players at her alma mater.

An All-Western Athletic Conference First-Team selection, the linebacker helped Lathrop secure its first league championship last fall. She chipped in two flag fulls for the North.

Gonzalez will attend MJC next year and pursue a career in nursing.

“This was a great opportunity,” she said. “I’m the only one on my team who got selected, so I felt like I was relied on to do well for them and inspire them to keep playing football, and hopefully then can go win (a Sac-Joaquin Section title).

“This was a good experience for me. It’s the last time I’m going to be playing on a field.”

The South faced early adversity on its second offensive series, as starting quarterback Audrey Pacheco (Gregori) went down with an injury. She was replaced by Livingston’s Olivia Costa (14 of 27, 134 yards).

Costa linked up with Aynoor Bains (El Capitan) for a 32-yard touchdown with 1:15 left in the first half and the South’s only points.