San Clemente girls flag football races past Yorba Linda in CIF-SS playoffs

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YORBA LINDA — One of Orange County’s fastest rising girls flag football programs faced off against one of the most crafty teams in the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs on Tuesday night.

San Clemente and Giselle Nacelli continued to soar.

The sophomore wide receiver caught three of the five touchdowns thrown by freshman quarterback Chloe Williams as the Tritons raced to past Yorba Linda 33-0 in a first round game at Yorba Linda High.

San Clemente (14-8), a second-year program, handled the Freeway League champion Mustangs (12-6) to advance to the second round Saturday against visiting Downey.

The Tritons, the South Coast League runner-up, led 19-0 at halftime.

“This was not in my realm of possibilities,” San Clemente coach Marc Popovich said of the lopsided score. “(Yorba Linda) is a good team. I watched them on tape. … They are a tough team to defend against because they play sort of an unorthodox style.”

“We really played well,” the coach added.

Nacelli and Williams led the way.

Nacelli, who plays forward in soccer, showcased her athleticism with leaping receptions and elusive runs.

She jumped for a finger-tip grab in the middle of the field to set up a touchdown in the first half.

On a 21-yard touchdown reception in the second half, Nacelli escaped a defender with a spin move and avoided two would-be tacklers en route to the end zone.

“She’s a stud,” Yorba Linda coach Eric Campos said of Nacelli, who plays club soccer for the powerhouse Slammers.

Nacelli finished with nine catches for 115 yards.

Williams passed for 308 yards, including touchdowns to sophomores Capryce Mathis and Charlotte Grush. Senior Grace Bunker added eight receptions.

“She’s grown so much this year,” Popovich said of Williams. “She’s seeing defenses so much better.”

On defense, San Clemente received interceptions from sophomore Nora Moran and senior captain Quincy Connors. Sophomore Samantha Fox had a sack while senior Sydney Stewart added a deflected pass.

“We’re super young,” Popovich said. “For this group, they’re coming out and making their own mark.”

Last season, San Clemente finished as the narrow Division 3 runner-up to Troy. The Warriors rallied to edge San Clemente 33-32 in the finals seconds.

“Our team is very positive,” Nacelli said. “No matter how we’re doing, it’s always an encouraging environment and it’s always fun no matter what.”

Cienna Olsen had an interception to highlight Yorba Linda’s effort.

The Mustangs used multiple quarterbacks, including freshman Harper Magni. Starter Madison Baez suffered a hand injury early in the season, Campos said.

“They had a better game plan,” Campos said of San Clemente.