In a nail biting back and forth flag football game between San Marcos and Dos Pueblos, the Royals ended up on top with an exhilarating score of 34-33 following an impressive defensive showcase and key offensive plays.

The Royals, who had their undefeated streak ended by the Chargers earlier this season, started off their revenge game strong with a 60 yard run from Peyton Sperling to give San Marcos a 6-0 lead. Dos Pueblos immediately responded, marching up the field for a touchdown and successfully scoring an extra point to take the lead at 6-7. The Royals were unable to score on the following drive, allowing Dos Pueblos to further their lead at 13-6 after a touchdown pass to Chargers receiver Brooklyn Hendricks. The Royals answered back on their ensuing drive with a touchdown pass to Mia Richmond.

After San Marcos secured another turnover on downs deep in their own territory, the offense quickly resumed with a scoring drive that culminated in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Chesluk to Kayla Aguilar. This put the Royals ahead 19-13, marking their first lead since the game’s opening play.

Dos Pueblos responded immediately with a scoring drive of their own, as Sterling Streatfeild dashed in for a 9-yard rushing touchdown. The Chargers then converted an extra point with a pass to Ahmad-Reda, taking a 20-19 lead with 9:30 on the clock remaining.

The Dos Pueblos defense forced a punt, and Ruby Streatfeild quickly added to the lead with a 60-yard touchdown run, bringing the score to 26-19 after a failed extra point attempt.

The Royals continued to fight back, advancing to a 4th and goal situation from the Dos Pueblos 7-yard line. With 1:55 left, Aldana connected with Aguilar for a touchdown, narrowing the gap to 26-25.

Coach Bazylewicz opted for a two-point conversion to take the lead, and it paid off when Aldana found Chesluk in the end zone, putting them ahead 27-26 with just under two minutes remaining.

However the Chargers weren’t done, even with just one minute left on the clock. Rodriguez then stepped back to throw and connected with Streatfeild along the sideline. She caught the pass and sprinted 40 yards for a touchdown. Ahmad-Reda successfully converted the extra point, allowing Dos Pueblos to reclaim the lead at 33-27 with 54 seconds remaining in the game.

Facing a need for 60 yards in under a minute, the Royals began their drive with two solid passes, setting up a manageable 3rd and short situation.

On that third down, Aldana threw a deep pass to Richmond along the sideline. Although a Dos Pueblos defender managed to get a hand on it, Richmond stayed focused and made a juggling catch at the Dos Pueblos 5-yard line.

That key play led to a 5-yard touchdown pass from Aldana to Chesluk, tying the game at 33-33. During the one-point conversion attempt, Aldana threaded a pass through traffic to Cook, giving them a one-point lead with 18 seconds remaining.

The Chargers tried to respond, but the San Marcos defense held strong, securing the stop as time ran out to win the thrilling semifinal matchup.