Led by his daughter Jessica Rose, the Patriots won on home turf to complete an undefeated season. Father and daughter embraced after a game that left them both physically and emotionally spent.
“What can I say? I’m a proud daddy right now,” Jim said. “I’m more happy for her, just the fact that she gets to experience this. It’s the coolest thing. I’m happy for all the girls. As a dad, how can you beat this?”
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Top-seeded San Pedro (24-4 ), the Marine League champion, scored first when all-purpose back Noelani Raigans caught a tipped pass behind the defense and race to the end zone from 30 yards out. Birmingham answered on a double pass from Rachel Lowry to Rose to Bela Gonzalez in the closing seconds of the first half to tie the game 6-6 at halftime.
Mya Oliveros scored the go-ahead touchdown on a double pass and Lowry ran for the two-point conversion with under four minutes left. The Pirates drove to the Birmingham 16-yard line on their ensuing possession and thought they had scored on Shalia Coleman’s grab in the end zone on a fourth-and-10 play, but San Pedro was called for an illegal forward pass, resulting in a turnover on downs and the Patriots ran out the clock.
Julianna Sarabia of Verdugo Hills scores a touchdown in the first half of Saturday’s City Division I flag football final at Birmingham.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
“They rushed us quick and had me on my toes,” Jessica Rose said.
Birmingham recorded nine shutouts and allowed a total of 40 points in 12 games on its way to the title and Rose, also an All-City shortstop on the Patriots’ softball team, was a major reason why. Playing quarterback, receiver and safety she picked off 15 passes and accounted for 29 of the squad’s 43 touchdowns whether throwing, catching or running.
“He might be a little tougher on me than the other players but I’m used to it,” the 17-year-old said, a broad smile across her face. “Credit is given when it’s due. I’m a mini-version of my dad. I’ve missed maybe one or two of his games my whole life and I’ll turn 18 in February. I wish I wasn’t a senior, so I’d have a chance to do this again. I’ve played football my whole life but wish I’d played this instead.”
Sylmar’s Mia Ceja makes a leaping catch in front of Verdugo Hills defensive back Lauren Brink in the Dons’ 29-20 victory.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
In addition to his three City titles in football — and a current 41-game winning streak — Jim Rose has one Invitational softball title and now a flag football title to his credit and he will savor it as much as the others. Especially since the Patriots, despite being the unbeaten Valley Mission League champions, were seeded seventh in the 16-team bracket.
“At the end of the day we won every game,” he said. “It didn’t matter where we were seeded. Last year with the boys we were the No. 7 seed and we won, so I wasn’t concerned about any of that.”