CORONA — There are several new faces on the Norco girls flag football team this season.

1 of 25

Corona’s Jaslene Negrete and Norco’s Madisyn Contreras fight for possession in a pass intended for Negrete in a girls flag football game at Centennial High School on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)

Expand

So, it was not much of a surprise when the Cougars lost 4 of 5 games to begin the campaign.

“I think we’ve formed a lot of chemistry through the season,” sophomore wide receiver Ryleigh Kennedy said. “There are lot of great individual players here, but it took a little while for everyone to get on the same page.”

The Cougars now are on a roll. Mya Arriola tossed five touchdown passes, three landing in Kennedy’s hands, as Norco cruised to a 30-6 victory over Corona to secure the No. 1 seed for the Big VIII League tournament.

Norco (12-4, 4-1 in league) has won 11 straight, including four league games by a combined score of 90-32.

“We had to make a lot of changes to what we doing on offense and defense,” Cougars coach Wade Lockett said about this turnaround. “Things are really clicking, and we’re playing the way we’re capable of playing.”

Kennedy jammed a thumb during warmups and made a trip to the trainer’s table early in the second period. The injury didn’t appear to hinder Kennedy’s ability to catch the ball, as she had six receptions for 88 yards.

Kennedy is softball player primarily, but one of the first sports she excelled at was motocross.

“I broke a few bones (hand and leg) riding dirt bikes, so I’m used to dealing with some pain,” Kennedy said.

Norco was facing fourth-and-goal from the 21 on the opening possession of the game. Arriola tossed a pass toward the corner of the end zone, and Kennedy was able to look it the ball into her hands for a touchdown.

Corona (12-10, 3-2) looked to match, but the Panthers turned the ball over on downs on the ensuing drive.

Norco next possession was beginning to stall, but Kennedy returned from her visit to the trainer to haul in a 16-yard touchdown catch from Arriola that extended the Cougars lead to 12-0 with 6:13 left in the first half.

Maya Lopez then intercepted a pass, and in a funny moment started to return the ball in the wrong direction. Her flag was pulled and Norco took over on the Corona 25. On the next play from scrimmage, Arriola rolled out to her left and fired a ball to Kennedy, who made a tip-toe catch on the sidelines for another touchdown.

“The catches she (Kennedy) and everyone else made today were amazing,” said Arriola, a three-year starter who completed 18 of 25 passes for 205 yards Monday. “I’m just really proud of how far our team has come.”

Corona’s lone score came on the opening drive of the second half. Arlene Cabrera completed 7 of 8 passes during that possession, including a 4-yarder to center Hope Luga that got the Panthers on the scoreboard.

But Corona had no answers defensively, as Norco scored a touchdown on 5 of 6 possessions Monday night.

“We just didn’t execute,” Panthers coach Jim Bowers said. “We knew exactly what (Norco) was going to do, but we couldn’t stop them. Bottom line is you have to execute the game plan to win big games like this one.”

Arriola added touchdown passes to Syria Johnson and Ryley Rocheleau (both 5 yards) in the second half.

“She can make all the throws and her leadership is incredible,” Lockett said of Arriola. “I’m going to miss her next year, and it’s going to be hard to replace someone like her. She has been absolutely phenomenal for us.”

Cabrera completed 14 of 26 passes for 150 yards, and Luga finished the game with four catches for 48 yards.

Norco will host the first two rounds of the Big VIII League tournament Monday, Oct. 6. The Cougars will have a first-round bye and play Roosevelt (No. 4 seed) or Centennial (No. 5) in one semifinal. Santiago is the No. 2 seed and also has a first-round bye. The Sharks will face Corona (No. 3) or King (No. 6) in the other semifinal.

The final games of the league tournament, including the championship match, will be played Monday, Oct. 13.


Source link

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR