NEWPORT BEACH – The Marina quarterback threw a deep pass.
Two Newport Harbor defensive backs went up for the football. They smashed into each other and sent the ball bouncing off the ground along with them.
Somehow neither player was injured. Both got up quickly and were ready for the next play.
Those girls are tough.
It was a Sunset League girls flag football game Wednesday at Newport Harbor High School. The game was played at Davidson Field, where many varsity football games have been played over a few decades.
Newport Harbor, the No. 1 team in MaxPreps.com’s national rankings, beat Marina 18-12. Marina had a 12-6 lead at halftime.
Sailors junior quarterback Maia Helmar threw two second-half touchdown passes to senior receiver Kate Kubiak. Kubiak’s speed and moves were especially impressive on the first touchdown. She took a short pass before dodging Marina players trying to grab a flag for 15 yards on her way to the end zone.
Newport Harbor improved to 16-1 overall and 5-0 in the Sunset League.
Marina sophomore quarterback Mia Valbeuna, also an excellent pitcher on the the school’s softball team, showed off a strong arm as the Vikings slid to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in league.
That collision on the pass play involved Newport Harbor players Cooper Dick and Audrey Burns. The way the players got up like nothing happened supported what Helmar said after the game, that flag football players can handle the physical stuff. She wishes the rules allowed for more of it.
“They can stop making it like we need to be pampered,” Helmar said. “We’re not allowed to dive (to pull) flags and so many other things because they think we’re softer than boys. Diving for flags, that’s where you you can show your athletic ability and how you can set yourself apart from other players.”
Helmar is a multi-sport athlete like a few other players on Newport Harbor’s team.
Kubiak is a soccer player who got started in flag football with the Matt Leinart flag…
Read the full article here
