Flag Football

Women's flag football team takes first OEC tournament title

Women's flag football team takes first OEC tournament title
In a back-and-forth battle worthy of a championship stage last Thursday, Irvine Valley stormed back in the final minutes to defeat Cypress, 32-27, to claim the first Orange Empire Conference women's flag football championship.

Both teams traded momentum swings throughout with Cypress appearing to seize control late before Irvine Valley delivered a memorable finish to claim the inaugural OEC Tournament crown.

Irvine Valley struck first taking a 7-0 lead at 5:10 in the first quarter on a pass by sophomore quarterback Akayla Chaple to freshman Maia Helmar.

Cypress answered back at 7:47 in the second behind quarterback Maddy Banks, who connected with Devoni Ray on a touchdown pass before finding Mia Cabral for the conversion to even the score at 7-7.

The Chargers struck again at 3:18 in the second when Banks orchestrated another scoring drive connecting with Lelani Lito to set up Cabral's second touchdown of the game. The PAT failed, however Cypress owned a 13-7 lead.

The Lasers came roaring down the field with time running out int the first half, but Michea Wells came up with a critical interception for the Chargers near the red zone putting a stop to the IVC threat. Cypress headed into halftime with the lead.

Irvine Valley came into the second half with renewed energy and scored on a touchdown on a toss from Chaple to sophomore Allison Faggella at 6:51 in the third taking a 14-13 advantage.

Cypress responded once again in four minutes later when Banks found Lito for a touchdown followed by another conversion pass to Cabral putting the Chargers back in front 20-14 entering the fourth.

The Chargers added another score to start the fourth when Banks hit Ray on a deep ball to set up another Cabral touchdown.

A successful PAT connection to Melony Bernabe gave the Chargers a 27-14 cushion, and Wells added her second interception of the game to keep momentum on Cypress' side.

But the Lasers stayed focused and ready to strike.

IVC mounted a furious rally, scoring three touchdowns in the final minutes.

Chaple got the rally started with a touchdown pass with 1:30 left in the game.

A pivotal interception returned for a touchdown at 1:18 gave the Lasers light at the end of the tunnel, despite a failed PAT.  

With time ticking off the clock, Irvine Valley managed to pull out a much-needed defensive stop and got the ball back with less than a minute left in regulation.

Chaple led the charge as the Lasers pulled off the winning touchdown on a rushing score giving the team a dramatic 32-27 victory.

Both teams will share the Orange Empire Conference title as both teams finished the regular season with 4-2 OEC records.

The OEC Tournament Championship trophy belongs to Irvine Valley.

2026 ALL-ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE TEAM

OEC MVP: Maia Helmar, IVC

Defensive Player of the Year: Devoni Ray, CYP

OEC Coach of the Year: Sami Logan, IVC

1st Team - Offense

Akayla Chaple, IVC

Allison Faggella, IVC

Marisol Gongora, IVC

Lelani Lito, CYP

Mia Cabral, CYP

Emma Farias, CYP

2nd Team - Offense

Maya McKenna, IVC

Crystal Cervantes, IVC

Emily Harris, IVC

Melony Bernabe, CYP

Maddy Banks, CYP

Alisa Kangas, CYP

1st Team - Defense

Sara Johnston, IVC

Allison Faggella, IVC

Emily Harris, IVC

Lelani Lito, CYP

Michea Wells, CYP

Alisa Kangas, CYP

2nd Team - Defense

Maya McKenna, IVC

Marisol Gongora, IVC

Berlin Barraza, IVC

Richelle Rorick, CYP

Sara Gonzalez, CYP

Cami Flewellen, CYP

Story by Phil Thurman, Fullerton College

Photo courtesy of Jesus Martinez

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