The inaugural MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown brought several of the top teams from around the country together for a first-of-its-kind event won by JSerra in a dominant showing.
CHULA VISTA, California – JSerra High School stepped onto the field at the Elite Athlete Training Center knowing there would be worthy challengers. In the end, the dominant team remained unscathed and finished as the champion of the inaugural Flag Football Showdown.
The sport of flag football continues to grow at a rapid pace. The NFL has become a big supporter of the sport, which will be featured in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. NFL players found out first hand this offseason how unique the game is compared to the tackle version.
Friday and Saturday at the Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, high school girls showcased the best of the best at that level. Extended winning streaks were featured, and a first-of-its-kind tournament played out over two days. The MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown brought together over a dozen teams from across the country to participate in the inaugural event.
The sport of flag football continues a rapid ascent, and the two-day tournament was the latest chapter in the story.
FFS Brings Teams Together For National Event
Teams from throughout California were represented as were Montana and Alabama, which sent their best teams to participate in the event. California has arguably the widest range of top teams in the sport, and that showed itself by the end of the tournament.
All four semifinalists were from California, and three of the four come from Orange County. JSerra kept its momentum going by preserving its winning streak that now sits over 40 games. The Lions knocked off Newport Harbor in the championship game.
The victory marked the 43rd consecutive win for Brian Ong‘s squad, which is closing in on win No. 45 this week.
Flag Football Winning Streak Now Spans Over 40 Games For JSerra
Dominant on both sides of the ball, JSerra didn’t allow its first touchdown until the championship game. Led by quarterback Kate Meier and standout two-way player Tessa Russell, the Lions certainly left no doubt about their claim as the best team in the country.
Meier had just 4 incompletions in the championship game against Newport Harbor to go with 3 touchdown passes. Two of those scores went to Russell, her fellow sophomore, who had 5 catches for a game-high 108 yards receiving. The tandem helped lead JSerra to a 21-6 victory over their Orange County counterpart.
“Everyone on our team has so much grit,” Russell said. “And, we want to play for each other. So, I think that plays a big part in how we execute. I’m just really proud that we could get it all done.”
The contributions for the Lions went just beyond All-Tournament performers Meier and Russell. Six different players caught at least one pass for JSerra in the championship game. Three different players had sacks and five different players pulled at least two flags.
Abby Vanderweerd paced the JSerra defense with 5 total flag pulls and a sack. She also caught a touchdown pass in the championship game.
“I know these girls had a remarkable tournament,” Ong said. “We gave up very few points, so shoutout to our defense. It’s always been the heart of this team. Brian Russell does an amazing job coaching these girls up and teaching them different concepts, different techniques. We would not be in this situation without Brian Russell.”
MaxPreps FFS Showcases Expansion Of Sport Among High School Ranks
It was not just about the championship game at the MaxPreps FFS. The entire weekend featured several of the top players in the game participating against one another. There was high-level play throughout the tournament, and hotly contested matchups throughout bracket play.
Those opportunities don’t come often for all the teams participating. Merced High School became the first program to knock off Central High School from Alabama in nearly four years. Glacier High School (Kalispell, Mont.) — a four-time state champion — was able to test itself against a different level of competition in Chula Vista.
All of it was used a showcase for the sport that continues to grow and operate on its own plane compared to its tackle counterpart. Competitiveness is part of the equation, but there is certainly a feeling of pride about the growth of the game.
“It’s great to participate in the first-ever national tournament,” Ong said. “You had an undefeated team from Alabama on a 62-game winning streak. And, you got teams from Montana and Northern California. I mean, we were facing some of the best competition, but at the end of the day it came down to us and Newport Harbor again.
“Huntington Beach was right there. I think the talent in Southern California is unlike anywhere else in the country.”
New Experience For The Flag Football World
Getting the opportunity to test themselves was at the forefront for the players at the event. Russell, in particular, appreciated the chance to see how JSerra stacks up against many of the other top teams. Simply taking part in an event that was new also had its appeal.
“Flag football is growing so much,” she said. “It’s so exciting, because I never could have dreamed of this when I was younger. Every moment I’m cherishing, and I’m hoping girls after me get to do the same thing. I’m just glad I get to be one of the first ones to do it.”
