Kayla Amarante had season-highs in offensive production, but it was her big play on defense that changed a Valley Oak League game on Monday when her Sierra Timberwolves visited rival East Union.
She came up with a tide-turning safety late in the third quarter, and the T’wolves rallied for the 27-20 victory.
Offensively, the junior center/receiver grabbed nine passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns. She also had five flag pulls and a pass break-up on defense.
“It felt so good to get this one,” Amarante said. “We were thinking about it all week. We’ve been prepping all weekend, and it feels good to know that the work paid off.”
Leading 13-6, the defending champion Lancers (1-2 VOL, 1-5 overall) missed a chance to take control in the second half after their defense came through with a goal-line stand. Vanessa Velasquez batted down a pass intended for Amarante on fourth-and-goal from the 4.
On the next play, Amarante tilted momentum with the safety, chasing down shifty East Union running back Diana Reyes who received the backward pitch deep into the Lancers’ end zone. Reyes carved up the Timberwolves defense for 60 yards and a touchdown in the first half but was limited to 3 yards on six carries over the final two periods.
“We saw the field position were were in, ad it was a no-brainer,” Sierra coach Chris Zalunardo said of sending Amarante on the blitz. “It’s like a dog chasing the bone right there with someone running around in the end zone.”
Sierra wasn’t done yet, taking advantage of the offensive possession that comes with the safety. It took just two plays for the Timberwolves (2-1, 7-5) to strike, as Tessa Zalunardo (16 of 23, 193 yards, three TDs, interception) hit Felisa Cruz-Olenhouse (four receptions, 38 yards) for a 34-yard touchdown. Zalunardo targeted her again for the go-ahead conversion for the 15-13 Sierra lead.
To its credit, East Union did not back down, momentarily retaking the advantage early in the fourth quarter when Julianna Gaspar (14 of 24, 185 yards, two TDs) completed a pass up the middle to Savannah Lopez (four receptions, 83 yards) for a 56-yard touchdown and a 20-15 East Union lead following the conversion catch from McKenzee Mejia.
Sierra jumped ahead for good with 5:31 left, when Amarante took a shovel pass for a 3-yard TD reception.
The defense then held for a Sierra turnover on downs at midfield, and Mia Aguirre (nine rushes, 87 yards) padded the lead with a 17-yard dash with 1:02 remaining.
That left the door for East Union to send it to overtime or win. The Lancers ultimately ran out of time, as Sierra defensive back Genessa Chaparro pulled flags on the final two plays of the game. The Lancers did not have anymore timeouts to stop the clock. Chaparro finished with a game-high nine flag pulls.
For East Union, it was another frustrating loss. In fact, all of the Lancers’ defeats were decided by seven or less points.
“They have a bunch of studs and athletes on their team, and you definitely have to prepare for that,” coach Zalunardo said. “We never look at (an opponent’s) record. We know anytime we’re playing another school in the city, it’s going to be a game. They have a young team, but they’re super talented. I respect them, for sure. I knew it was going to be no cakewalk.”
