September 30, 2025 – In a clash of the nation’s top flag football teams, No. 2 JSerra Catholic handed No. 1 Orange Lutheran its first loss of the season with an 18-7 victory Tuesday.
JSerra leaned on a dominant defense and clutch plays from its young QBs to improve to 20-0. Tessa Russell set the tone with a first-quarter pick-six and later sealed the win with a second interception. Freshman Ava Irwin had a key INT before halftime, then caught a 20-yard TD from Ava Van Heerde in the fourth.
Kate Meier, also a freshman, scrambled in for a go-ahead TD in the third. The Lions held the defending Southern Section champs well below their 35+ point average, dropping Orange Lutheran to 18-1 on the year.