In a game defined by defense, it seemed only fitting that the game turn on a defensive play.
Locked in a scoreless tie Wednesday at Sierra, Lathrop was driving for a touchdown when the Spartans ran out of downs late in the game, giving the Timberwolves one last shot.
Lathrop’s Aaliyah Thompson had a different idea.
Thompson came on a blitz with 24.2 seconds remaining and posted the flag pull in the end zone for a safety that proved to be the difference in a 2-0 non-league flag football win for the Spartans at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium.
“I just wanted to get the quarterback,” Thompson said. “I didn’t realize it was a safety until everyone started cheering.”
Lathrop’s Morgan Hegler snagged two interceptions.
“It felt good,” Hegler said. “Because those girls were tall.”
“I’m just glad I could do it for the team.”
Luz De Luna directed the Lathrop offense, completing 9 of 24 passes for 88 yards. Aaliyah Thompson was her favorite target with 59 yards on four catches and Hegler added 35 yards on three carries. JaLeiyah Ray chipped in 21 yards on five carries.
Faith Butler logged 12 pulls for the Spartans (5-1) with seven for Angie Gonzalez, six for Dayanna Martinez and three for Hegler.
“It was a fun game, defensively,” Lathrop coach Randy Baltazar said. “They knew what we were doing, we knew what they were doing, it was just a matter of executing.
“I’m just glad our defense has been our catalyst throughout the year. We take pride in our defense and it shows that when things get gritty and nasty that’s when our girls show up. I’m just glad we called the double blitz and we were able to get that flag at the right time.”
Maitland Kohoutek was 9 of 11 passing for 72 yards for Sierra (3-4). Felisa Cruz-Olenhouse pulled in seven receptions for 32 yards. Peyton Duarte and Margeil Garcia led the Timberwolves defense with five tackles apiece with four for Natalie Ruvalcaba.
Timberwolves coach Chris Zalunardo was experiencing a little Déjà vu toward the end of the game.
“I was thinking it was going to be a throwback to the first time we ever played them a few years back with a triple overtime game,” Zalunardo said. “It was a heck of a game, a defensive game.
“At the end of the day, we just couldn’t execute on offense. We have to work through that, but they are a great team.”
Both teams begin league play next week with the Spartans going to Los Banos to face Pacheco on Monday to kick off the Western Athletic Conference schedule at 6 p.m., and Tuesday at 7 p.m. Sierra travels to Mountain House at 6 p.m. in Valley Oak League play.
