In the opening game of the middle school co-ed flag football championships, Lindbergh and Lindsey were locked in a defensive battle that featured eight interceptions. However, it was Lindbergh that prevailed thanks to A’lani McFashion who threw the game-winning touchdown to Corday Randolph as the Eagles defeated the Falcons, 13-12.
“Perseverance and defense is where we’ve hung our hats,” Lindbergh coach Kenneth Zavala said. “We had to stop them late the last time we played them. Our defense has stepped up every game.”
McFashion put Lindbergh up 6-0 when she got loose and ran past defenders for a 20-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead.
“A’lani is no joke,” Zavala said. “She’s the truth. She threw a pick, and she gets down but she doesn’t let it stop her. The boys are confident in her and know she’s going to make that pass.”
Lindsey’s Hakeem Isacc was one player that Lindbergh knew they had to stop and he didn’t make it easy for Lindbergh. The eighth grader threw a long pass to Donald Sledge for a big gain and then got loose when he decided to keep it himself.
He then found Kristian Stewart for a touchdown as the Falcons cut the Eagles lead to 7-6. Daniel Smith was a problem defensively coming up with three interceptions, but a pick by his teammate Sledge gave Lindsey the opportunity they needed late in the third quarter.
Lindsey took advantage of the opportunity as Isacc threw a 5-yard touchdown to Tyrelle London to take a 12-6 lead.
Running out of time in the fourth, Lindbergh came up with a pick interception with time running down and gave McFashion a chance to drive down field for the eventual game-winning touchdown.
