jserra

To become a powerhouse in a new sport takes good coaching and good players. JSerra has pulled it off in girls’ flag football.

The Lions have won 36 consecutive games dating to last season, when they went 28-0 and won the Southern Section Division 1 championship.

Lots of credit goes to coach Brian Ong, who started the program in 2023.

Despite losing the Division 1 player of the year, Ava Irwin, to Sierra Canyon, the Lions keep rolling with an 8-0 record this season. Quarterback Kate Meier, who was pretty good last season, is even better this season, and so are her receivers.

But the defense has been particularly impressive.

There’s plenty of challenges ahead, but for now, JSerra has something good going in a sport that keeps attracting more and more fans.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

Mater Dei and Sierra Canyon have been the two best high school girls’ volleyball teams in the Southland the last several years and the likelihood is high that they will meet in the Southern Section Division 1 finals for a third consecutive season.

Mater Dei won the state Open Division championship in November, led by four seniors now suiting up for NCAA Division I programs — setter Sam Capinpin at Cal State Bakersfield, libero Lizzy Robinson at Oregon and middle blocker Addison Coady and outside hitter Layli Ostovar (the 2025 Gatorade California player of the year) at USC.

The Monarchs won the Queen’s Court Invitational (the last preseason warmup tournament) in Irvine at the start of the month and boast one of their deepest rosters in coach Dan O’Dell’s 14 seasons thanks to five elite transfers: senior opposite hitter Katherine Nowak from JSerra; junior outside hitter/defensive specialist Sienna Cicero from Orange Lutheran; junior middle blocker Reagan Williams from Sunny Hills; junior outside hitter Janiah Burrage from Rancho Christian and senior middle hitter (and Long Beach State commit) Saaliyah Brown from Etiwanda, all of whom are eager to contribute once the mandatory sit-out period ends Sept. 13.

Sierra Canyon senior Kendall Omoruyi, right, is one of the top middle blockers in the country.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

In a matchup of reigning state champions, Mater Dei prevailed in five sets over Harvard-Westlake in its Aug. 11 season opener, and it was no surprise that UCLA-bound senior hitter Westley Matavao made her presence felt with 16 kills, 19 digs and six aces. California commit Emma Kingston added 13 kills and three blocks as setting duties were shared by senior Kalea Lee (24 assists) and junior Riley Stringer (20 assists).

“It’s great to start out playing a team that’s just as competitive as us — it’s good prep for what we can expect all season,” said Matavao, who recorded 405 kills, 177 digs, 37 aces and 32 blocks a year ago. “This teaches us to not be laid back, to keep our foot on the gas. I think we’re better than last season because we have more versatility.”

Making an immediate influence was freshman Jimin Seung, who ended the first point of the season with a kill and finished with 10. On a team with 11 seniors, Seung is fitting right in with a fearless attitude and competitive drive.

“It was nerve-racking, but knowing our team is one, the nervousness turns to confidence,” Seung said. “I came to Mater Dei because it’s the place that felt most like home and I wanted to grow in my religion. I’ve only known Westley a few weeks and she’s already like a big sister to me. She’s a senior and I’m a freshman, but we have a lot in common because we play the same position.”

Mater Dei coach Dan O’Dell guided the Monarchs to the CIF State Open Division championship in 2025.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

Though Mater Dei has superior depth, Sierra Canyon has a more experienced starting lineup — a nucleus of All-Americans consisting of Missouri-bound setter Lucky Fasavalu, Nebraska-bound middle Kendall Omoruyi and a trio of outside hitters in Eva Jeffries (Tennessee), Hanna McGinest (Texas Tech) and McKenna McIntosh (USC).

Filling the last rotation spot will be Isabella Torres-Wallace from ICL Academy; fellow sophomore middle Cassie Smith and junior Raneighla Gonzalez, who transferred from Heritage Christian last year but got hurt and played in only two sets. The top back row options for coach Stefanie Wigfall, who will likely pass the 400-win mark this season, are senior Olive Shum and Mira Costa transfer Blake Gurney.

Sierra Canyon, which beat Mater Dei to win its second section title in four years last fall, finished fifth at Queen’s Court without Fasavalu, Omoruyi and McGinest, who led the team a year ago with a combined 469 kills, 265 digs, 29 blocks and 28 aces. The Trailblazers beat Kahuku (Hawaii), Mira Costa, JSerra, San Juan Hills, Palos Verdes, Harvard-Westlake and Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio) to reach the finals of the Ann Kang Invitational in Honolulu. They then rallied past host Iolani, 18-25, 25-11, 15-9, in Saturday’s championship match to win the prestigious tournament for the first time.

Lucky Fasavalu helped lead Sierra Canyon to the Southern Section Division 1 title in 2025.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

Division I state champion Harvard-Westlake got 12 kills each from sophomore Brooke Cotter and Boston College-bound Ruby Sampson and 11 from Princeton commit Sophia Cotter against Mater Dei. Last year the Wolverines finished third in the Mission League behind Sierra Canyon and Marymount, which has lost five Division I players to graduation — Sammy Destler (Washington), Elle Vandeweghe (Southern Methodist), Declan Eastman (Rice), Olivia Penske (Georgetown) and Frankie Jones (Brown) — but brings back Northwestern commit Makenna Barnes, setter/hitter Leighton Devereux and Katelyn Oerlemans, a middle/opposite hitter committed to Stanford for beach volleyball.

Challenging Mater Dei in the Trinity League will be Santa Margarita, which won the Southern Section Division 2 title last year behind player of the year Ireland Real, a Texas commit who pounded more than 400 kills and had 150 digs.

Mira Costa will be led by senior captains Brynn Barry (libero), Lerin Rosenthal (setter, opposite) and Allyn Hilt (outside hitter) but will have to overcome the loss of setter Milly McGee (USC) and hitters Audrey Flanagan (Wisconsin) and Simone Roslon. Bay League rival Redondo Union is in a similar circumstance, having to replace hitter Abby Zimmerman (Cal), twins Avery and Addi Junk (Florida State) and middle blocker Taylor Boice (UC Irvine). Cypress graduated CIF-SS Division 3 player of the year Isabella Faro.

Defending champion Palisades and Taft, which lost to the Dolphins in the Open Division semifinals last fall, are the preseason favorites in the City Section.

Matavao relished a chance to face her cousin Fasavalu (the CIF-SS Division 1 player of the year) in the finals again: “I think there’s a good chance we’ll see them again.”

Teams to watch: Mater Dei, Sierra Canyon, Marymount, Harvard-Westlake, JSerra, Santa Margarita, San Juan Hills, Mira Costa, Redondo Union, Newport Harbor, Los Alamitos, Long Beach Poly, Temecula Valley, Crean Lutheran, West Ranch.

The Times’ top 10 high school flag football rankings:

1. JSerra (6-0)
Won the Gold Division at the Chargers Invitational. MVP quarterback Kate Meier has accounted for 11 scores in the last three games.
Next: Tuesday vs. Woodbridge.

2. Newport Harbor (5-1)
The Sailors outscored their first five opponents 97-0 before falling to JSerra 23-6 in the Chargers Invitational championship game.
Next: August 24 vs. Woodbridge.

3. Edison (5-1)
All five of the Chargers’ wins so far have been shutouts. Their biggest test comes Thursday night in a nonleague game at JSerra.
Next: Thursday at JSerra.

4, Orange Lutheran (3-1)
Lost to JSerra at the Chargers Invitational but will have two chances to avenge it in Trinity League matchups Sept 22 and Oct. 13.
Next: Thursday at La Serna.

5. Beckman (5-0)
Won the Division 2 Navy bracket at the Chargers Invitational, beating Mira Costa in the final on Hayden Freedman’s clutch catch.
Next: Wednesday vs. San Juan Hills.

6. Westlake (3-2)
The Warriors gave JSerra its toughest game at the Chargers Invitational, losing by only 13 points. They also nearly beat Torrey Pines.
Next: Tuesday vs. Oak Park.

7. Huntington Beach (3-1)
Fast start behind quarterback and captain Roxie Shaia, highlighted by 18-point victory over Torrey Pines at Chargers Invitational.
Next: Aug. 24 vs. Los Alamitos.

8. Corona del Mar (4-1)
Convincing victories over Ocean View, La Serna and Bishop Amat. Will host a showdown against Huntington Beach on Aug. 26.
Next: Tuesday vs. Santa Margarita.

9. Lakewood St. Joseph (3-0)
Senior quarterback Lexi Loya has already thrown for 679 yards and 13 touchdowns, including five in a 40-6 victory over Corona.
Next: Monday at Cypress.

10. Eagle Rock (0-0)
Quarterback Nylah Moore and the Eagles open the season Monday versus Panorama in a rematch of last fall’s City Open semifinals.
Next: Monday vs. Panorama.

Sixth in a series of stories profiling top high school football players by position. Today, Godschoice Eboigbodin, JSerra defensive lineman.

“Bro, we need you.”

That was the heartfelt message from JSerra High football players directed toward Godschoice Eboigbodin as he walked around campus looking like a high school version of Thor with his bulging muscles.

He played basketball for the Lions, but after his sophomore season he decided to try football, since his physical play in basketball led to fouls, something that was legal in football.

“People say I’m aggressive. I fit in with football,” he said.

He has grown to 6 feet 5 and 260 pounds. He still has trouble putting on football pads — “I’m still trying to figure it out” — but as an edge rusher, there’s no telling how far his journey will take him. He committed to UCLA during the summer. He works relentlessly in the weight room gaining strength.

Godschoice Eboigbodin of JSerra makes a shot against Rolling Hills Prep.

(Craig Weston)

“The guy can move,” coach Hardy Nickerson said. “He’s an athlete at defensive end. You see that talent playing on Sundays.”

He could be the next success story from Nigeria, where he was born and lived until coming to the area as a freshman while living with a host family, the Franklins. He is the sixth of seven siblings.

He got his first name from the woman who delivered him as a baby while his mother was in labor. He made his first dunk in his backyard when he was 12. The rim didn’t last long.

He has been a very good basketball player for JSerra. Last season, he had a 46-point performance.

But football is the sport he intends to master. He came in as a blank sheet last season and tries to learn every day. He had 2 1/2 sacks in his first season.

“He’s growing as a football baller,” Nickerson said. “He’s made tremendous strides this offseason. He’s going to get turned loose.”

Imagine being a quarterback and seeing Eboigbodin charging ahead with his size and agility.

“I’ve learned you’re fighting against time,” Eboigbodin said. “You got to go fast and get the quarterback before he passes. You got about three seconds.”

He enjoys the Friday night football atmosphere and is fueled by fans cheering.

“The football stands and fans are a different feeling,” he said.

He’s had so many people helping him and rooting for him during his stay. That’s because of his friendly demeanor. He might look intimidating, but his smile and willingness to participate in school gatherings propels others to immediately embrace him. He’s always looking to learn on and off the field.

“I’m excited to just get better,” he said.

And that’s what is exciting about Eboigbodin. He’s not a finished product, but the signs of progress and what he can do with his body on a football field have everyone predicting big days ahead.

“I’m trying to ball out,” he said.

Monday: De’Andre Kirkpatrick, Crenshaw linebacker.

Defensive linemen to watch

Hunter Eligon, Western, 6-3, 285, Sr.: Vanderbilt commit helped Los Alamitos win D2 title last season

Godschoice Eboigbodin, JSerra, 6-5, 260, Sr.: UCLA commit is stronger and learning game fast

Marcus Fakatou, Sierra Canyon, 6-7, 275, Sr.: Ohio State commit is a high school version of Aaron Donald

Sione Felila, Oak Hills, 6-3, 290, Sr.: Had 18 tackles for losses

Elija Harmon, Inglewood, 6-3, 280, Sr. Oklahoma commit coming back from injury

Miles Schirmer, Corona Centennial, 6-5, 280, Sr.: Cal commit is disruptor for QBs and running backs

Kingston Sula, Carson, 6-2, 205, Jr. Had 16 sacks as a sophomore

Elyjah Staples, Marquez, 6-3, 205, Sr.: Cal commit is the City Section’s sack machine

Alifeleti Tuihalamaka, Oaks Christian, 6-4, 260, Sr. USC commit causes lots of problems for blockers

Isaia Vandermade, Santa Margarita, 6-2, 290, Sr.: USC commit couldn’t be blocked during D1 playoffs

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

Southern Section

Agoura 38, Buena 0

Canyon Country Canyon 75, PACS 0

Castaic 19, Burbank Burroughs 0

Channel Islands 26, Rio Mesa 13

Corona Centennial 6, El Dorado 0

Corona Santiago 35, Great Oak 14

Crean Lutheran 7, Capistrano Valley 6

Dos Pueblos 28, Santa Ynez 6

El Toro 26, Dana Hills 0

Fillmore 45, Del Sol 0

Gahr 54, Dominguez 6

Hacienda Heights Wilson 7, Garey 0

Hart 12, Royal 6

Hemet 18, Murrieta Valley 7

Indio 21, Canyon Springs 0

Katella 19, Norwalk 0

Lancaster 32, Rosamond 6

Newport Beach Pacifica Christian 51, Loara 7

Nogales 26, Mountain View 12

Oxnard Pacifica 19, Newbury Park 18

Paramount 14, Fairmont Prep 7

Redondo Union 27, Santa Monica 7

Saddleback 8, Century 6

Santa Barbara 38, Hueneme 12

Saugus 26, St. Bonaventure 0

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 22, Oaks Christian 0

Sonora 14, Portola 12

Thousand Oaks 27, Long Beach Wilson 20

Ventura 27, Santa Paula 0

Westlake 61, Simi Valley 12

Intersectional

Bakersfield Christian 19, Highland 6

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

City Section

Franklin 33, Garfield 13

Hollywood 39, West Adams 0

Los Ángeles Marshall 29, Monroe 0

Los Ángeles Marshall 7, Sotomayor 0

Sotomayor 19, Monroe 0

Southern Section

Agoura 12, Cypress 7

Azusa 20, Northview 19

Beckman 32, Mira Costa 13

Bonita 13, La Serna 6

Cantwell-Sacred Heart 26, Whitney 7

Compton 32, Huntington Park 0

Cypress 13, Warren 12

Dos Pueblos 28, Classical Academy 12

Dos Pueblos 13, Redondo Union 7

Edison 13, Long Beach Poly 0

El Rancho 45, El Monte 0

Fountain Valley 26, Capistrano Valley 6

Highland 50, Rosamond 0

Huntington Beach 7, Classical Academy 0

Huntington Beach 18, Redondo Union 0

JSerra 24, Camarillo 0

JSerra 19, Westlake 6

Lakewood St. Joseph 40, Corona 6

Long Beach Wilson 7, Santa Ana Valley 0

Los Altos 13, San Gabriel 0

Montebello 18, Bell Gardens 0

Newport Harbor 25, Aliso Niguel 0

Newport Harbor 7, Oxnard 0

Northwood 6, Rosary 0

Orange Lutheran 16, Oxnard 6

Orange Lutheran 27, Aliso Niguel 0

Palos Verdes 43, Desert Hot Springs 0

Shadow Hills 25. Cathedral City 0

Sierra Canyon 25, Long Beach Poly 13

St. Margaret’s 13, Agoura 6

St. Margaret’s 21, Warren 20

Ventura 28, Fullerton 0

Villa Park 13, Anaheim Canyon 0

Western Christian 20, Tesoro 6

Woodbridge 40, Wiseburn-Da Vinci 0

Woodbridge 36, Ventura 0

Intersectional

Beckman 21, Narbonne 0

Bonita Vista 20, Sierra Canyon 12

Compton 32, Huntington Park 0

Edison 13, Bonita Vista 0

Esperanza 18, Panorama 13

Mira Costa 13, Mira Mesa 12

Mira Mesa 6, Narbonne 0

Tesoro 13, Panorama 6

Torrey Pines 12, Westlake 7

Torrey Pines 7, Camarillo 6

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

Southern Section

Anaheim Canyon 39, Los Osos 0

Anaheim Canyon 35, South El Monte 7

Baldwin Park 21, Gabrielino 13

Beaumont 38, Long Beach Wilson 0

Beckman 26, Tesoro 24

Bishop Amat 7, La Serna 6

Bonita 34, Don Lugo 0

Bonita 47, Covina 6

Bonita 25, Chino Hills 0

Cerritos 52, Keppel 0

Chaminade 7, San Marcos 0

Chaminade 20, West Ranch 0

Chaparral 20, Newport Beach Pacifica Christian 0

Chino Hills 26, Covina 6

Colony 19, Corona 13

Corona Centennial 40, Kaiser 6

Corona del Mar 13, Trabuco Hills 12

Corona del Mar 19, Bishop Amat 6

Covina 35, Don Lugo 6

Don Lugo 6, Chino Hills 6

Glendora 61, Arroyo 0

Great Oak 26, Newport Beach Pacifica Christian 0

Irvine University 18, Crean Lutheran 0

JSerra 27, Orange Lutheran 6

JSerra 28, Dos Pueblos 0

JSerra 23, Newport Harbor 6

Linfield Christian 32, Temecula Valley 6

La Serna 20, Cajon 6

Los Osos 24, Colton 2

Mira Costa 13, Western Christian 9

Newport Harbor 13, Edison 0

Newport Harbor 14, Huntington Beach 0

Norco 21, Patriot 6

Norco 19, Murrieta Mesa 12

Oxnard 20, Long Beach Poly 7

Oxnard Pacifica 19, West Ranch 6

Oxnard Pacifica 6, Chaminade 0

Quartz Hill 0, Valencia 0

Redlands 31, Banning 0

Riverside King 41, San Jacinto 0

Riverside King 49, Canyon Springs 0

Riverside King 29, Patriot 7

San Marcos 21, Oxnard Pacifica 7

San Marcos 32, West Ranch 0

St. Lucy’s 16, Alhambra 6

Temecula Valley 21, Temecula Prep 0

Tesoro 20, St. Margaret’s 6

Upland 19, El Dorado 12

Upland 12, Hart 0

Ventura 25, St. Margaret’s 15

VIsta Murrieta 62, San Jacinto 0

Vista Murrieta 32, Canyon Springs 0

Warren 19, Esperanza 6

Warren 32, Fullerton 6

Western Christian 12, Agoura 6

Westlake 20, Oxnard 13

Westlake 20, Redondo Union 14

Woodbridge 18, Agoura 8

Intersectional

Bonita Vista 13, Dos Pueblos 6

Downey 44, San Pedro 0

Edison 19, Torrey Pines 0

Esperanza 14, Narbonne 6

Huntington Beach 25, Torrey Pines 7

Mira Mesa 14, Panorama 7

Mira Mesa 20, Cypress 14

Narbonne 12, Fullerton 0

Orange Lutheran 6, Bonita Vista 0

Panorama 27, Wiseburn-Da Vinci 0

Warren 20, Mira Mesa 0

It is said that defending a championship is harder than winning one.

That ls the challenge facing the JSerra High flag football team this fall after the skilled girls from San Juan Capistrano completed a perfect season with a last-second goal line stand to secure their 25-20 triumph over defending champion Orange Lutheran in the Southern Section Division 1 final last November.

The Lions defeated their Trinity League rivals three times on the way to a 28-0 record in 2025 and are the preseason favorites to repeat under the guidance of Brian Ong, the reigning section coach of the year, and USA Flag junior national team members Kate Meier (quarterback) and Tessa Russell (receiver/safety).

Also returning is All-American quarterback Ava Van Heerde, who rotated with Meier last season to give opposing defenses fits attempting to solve their contrasting but equally effective styles. Meier passed for 3,729 yards and 58 touchdowns as a freshman while Van Heerde (also a rising star in softball) threw for 3,460 yards and 44 touchdowns as a sophomore. They will miss throwing to their favorite target as leading receiver and Division 1 player of the year Ava Irwin has transferred to Sierra Canyon for its program launch.

Orange Lutheran’s only three losses last season were to JSerra and if the Lancers are to be title contenders again they must overcome the absence of All-CIF quarterback Makena Cook (who threw for 7,083 yards and 112 touchdowns) and receiver Happy Dubois (129 receptions for 1,747 yards and 21 touchdowns), who are joining Irwin at Sierra Canyon. The Lancers also have a new coach, Dennis Hester, after Kristen Sherman announced in March that she was leaving to be an assistant under her husband, Rod Sherman, at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Mater Dei went 0-6 in Trinity League action one year ago but has picked up two key transfers in junior quarterback Tymane Allen (who threw for 4,925 yards and 56 touchdowns for Cypress) and senior receiver/safety Allyson Schmida (who caught 74 passes for 744 yards at Crean Lutheran).

JSerra High’s Brian Ong was the Southern Section Division 1 coach of the year last fall when the Lions went unbeaten.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

Back for the Monarchs is dual-threat quarterback Kendra Hansen, who had 25 touchdown passes and 20 touchdown runs as a sophomore.

Huntington Beach won 25 of 27 games last year, reaching the Division 1 semifinals, and despite the graduation of All-Southern Section receiver Taylor Savage the Oilers are equipped for another deep playoff run behind quarterback Roxie Shaia (6,692 yards and 89 touchdowns), receiver Shelby Nguyen (96 catches for 1,020 yards and 21 touchdowns) and linebacker Mia Aish (133 flag pulls and eight interceptions).

Trying to dethrone the Sunset League champions will be Newport Harbor, which has quarterback Scarlett Guyser (3,371 yards and 42 touchdowns) and receiver Skylie Cid (105 catches for 1,161 yards and 11 touchdowns). Division 2 champion Corona del Mar, which brings back every starter but one, including player of the year Addison Stern and receivers Mia Balabanian and AnnaSofia Dickens.

Dos Pueblos went 24-3 and fell to JSerra in the Division 1 semifinals last season. The Chargers return All-Channel League defensive back Brooklyn Hedricks (203 flag pulls, 18 deflections and 14 interceptions) and receiver Ruby Streatfeild (104 catches for 1,101 yards and 18 touchdowns), who helped power the LA Chargers Conquer club team to the NFL Girls Flag National Championship in Westfield, Ind. in July.

Thanks to its high-profile transfers, Sierra Canyon could be the team to beat in the San Fernando Valley. The Trailblazers will play in the Mission League along with Harvard-Westlake, which has hired professional flag player and prominent club coach Asha Prithiraj to guide the Wolverines through their inaugural season.

All-Southern Section quarterback Makena Cook transferred to Sierra Canyon after leading Orange Lutheran to the Division 1 final last season.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

In addition to new programs emerging in 2026 are new rules, like teams having an extra timeout each half (matching the three per half in tackle football), tighter ball-stripping restrictions, a definition for illegal hurdling and teams giving up a safety putting the ball in play via scrimmage kick from the 20-yard line. The most significant change gives a trailing team that has just scored the option to try a fourth-and-20 pass from its own 20-yard line. Should the play result in a first down, the trailing team keeps possession. If it fails, the opponent takes over at the spot the play ended.

The Northern League appears to have supplanted the Marine League as the best in the City Section after Marshall and Eagle Rock faced each other for the Open Division title and Franklin made the Division I semifinals last fall.

Marshall won 20-0 behind three-year starting quarterback Jaylin Macias, whose departure gives her backup, Diana Sandoval, an opportunity to run coach Shane Gerard’s offense. The Barristers will be tested by 23-game winner Wilson and Eagle Rock, which returns quarterback Nylah Moore (51 touchdown passes as a junior last year) and adds Nylah’s freshman sister Cinzia.

Thirty-two Southern California teams (separated into two divisions) will participate in the fourth annual Chargers x Oakley Invitational on Friday and Saturday at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa.

Friday’s pool play matchups include Sierra Canyon-Long Beach Poly; JSerra-Camarillo; Newport Harbor-Aliso Niguel; Huntington Beach-Redondo Union; Oxnard-Orange Lutheran; Woodbridge-Ventura; Dos Pueblos-Classical Academy; Cypress-Agoura; Warren-St. Margaret’s;and Westlake-Torrey Pines.

Corona del Mar High’s AnnaSofia Dickens runs the ball against Westlake in last season’s Southern Section Division 2 final at El Modena.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

Teams to Watch this season

JSerra, Huntington Beach, Sierra Canyon, Orange Lutheran, Newport Harbor, Corona del Mar, Trabuco Hills, Dos Pueblos, Camarillo, Santa Margarita, Lakewood St. Joseph, Westlake, Anaheim Canyon, Upland, San Marcos, Mater Dei, Etiwanda, Ventura, Downey, Newbury Park.

Players to Watch this season

Ava Irwin, WR/DB Sierra Canyon
Makena Cook, QB, Sierra Canyon
Kate Meier, QB, JSerra
Tessa Russell, WR/DB, JSerra
Addison Stern, QB, Corona del Mar
Olivia Elsokary, WR/DB, Westlake
Ava Van Heerde, QB, JSerra
Scarlett Guyser, QB/DB, Newport Harbor
Happy Dubois, WR/DB, Sierra Canyon
Brooklyn Hedricks, WR/DB, Dos Pueblos
London Lefler, QB/WR/DB Newbury Park
Skylie Cid, RB, Newport Harbor
Roxie Shaia, QB, Huntington Beach
Mia Balabanian, Corona del Mar
Tymane Allen, QB, Mater Dei
Mia Aish, LB, Huntington Beach
Madeline Garcia, QB, Downey
Sadie Olivares, WR/DB, Edison
Leah Vanderveen, WR/S, Mission Viejo
Nylah Moore, QB, Eagle Rock
AnnaSofia Dickens, WR/LB, Corona del Mar

Quarterback Nylah Moore will try to pass Eagle Rock back to the City Section Open Division flag football championship game.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

A transcript from an employment discrimination lawsuit filed by former JSerra girls’ basketball coach Chyanne Butler indicates the school could be facing a Southern Section investigation for CIF rules violations.

“We are aware of the transcripts and the trial,” Southern Section spokesman Thom Simmons said Friday.

JSerra has “no comment” while the case continues, a school spokesman said.

Butler alleged employment discrimination after being dismissed in January of 2025. A jury trial earlier this year resulted in a hung jury over an allegation of gender discrimination and a new trial is scheduled for Aug. 24 in Orange County Superior Court with Judge David O Carter presiding. Allegations of race discrimination and a sexual harassment claim against an assistant coach were dismissed.

JSerra has not self-reported any CIF violations even though in the first trial, an assistant coach testified under oath about recruiting a player from another school and then providing family expenses including “medical insurance, medical bills, groceries, toiletries, incidentals, basketball shoes.”

That would be a violation of CIF rules.

The Southern Section usually sends allegations of rules violations back to the school to investigate.

Butler is represented by attorney Tim Lawson, who deposed JSerra officials.

Katie Stith, the softball coach at JSerra High, can finally take a bow and become the most famous Stith in the family — at least for a couple weeks.

Imagine being the daughter of legendary club softball coach Mike Stith (OC Batbusters), then going into coaching. Katie did just that and has earned the spotlight after guiding JSerra to its first Southern Section Division 1 championship.

She has been selected The Times’ coach of the year for 2026.

It was her eighth season, and if you want to play in Division 1 in Southern California, you have to go through the gauntlet of powerhouses, from Norco to Orange Lutheran to Murrieta Mesa.

JSerra navigated a difficult regular-season schedule, then avoided upsets in the playoffs. The team finished 25-8 and had wins over Norco, La Mirada, Oaks Christian, Orange Lutheran and Garden Grove Pacifica — all prominent programs.

She was able to rely on pitcher Liliana Escobar and catcher Annabel Raftery in those pressure-packed moments from the first game to the last.

When her team needed her the most, JSerra High pitcher Liliana Escobar delivered a gritty 12-strikeout effort in the Southern Section Division 1 finals against La Mirada, leading the Lions to a 3-2 win and their first CIF title.

Her ability to rise to the occasion time and again while playing in the highest division is why Escobar is The Times’ high school softball player of the year, and no one is more proud of the senior than JSerra head coach Katie Stith.

“Liliana’s one of the best players I’ve ever coached,” Stith said. “She’s talented, of course, but what stands out is the type of teammate she is. She’s so wise for her age and always made it a point to look out for the team. She wanted to win for them.”

Escobar did her fair share of winning in her prep career. She had 14 victories as a junior was selected the Division 2 player of the year after posting a 1.20 earned-run average while striking out 239 batters in 140 innings. This spring she improved to 18-5 and gave up only 26 earned runs with 264 strikeouts and 47 walks in 153 innings pitched. She signed with the University of Florida on Nov. 12, one month after committing to one of the most successful SEC programs.

“What she’s accomplished the last two years is just incredible,” Stith said of Escobar, who plays travel ball for the OC Batbusters. “After battling an injury and having to sit out her sophomore season she could’ve let that defeat her, but she fought hard to be at her best.”

Escobar recorded 10 or more strikeouts 15 times this season and outdueled Orange Lutheran ace Rylee Silva twice in Trinity League action, but perhaps her most impressive performance was a three-hit shutout with 14 strikeouts in the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals against defending champion Norco — her second win in three outings versus the Cougars this spring.

She threw a five-hitter in the Lions’ playoff opener against Yucaipa and lasted all eight innings with 10 strikeouts in a 5-4 triumph over Ayala in the second round. She struck out 10 again and gave up only three hits in a 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Garden Grove Pacifica.

“Liliana becomes so courageous and competitive when she gets in the circle,” Stith added. “She believes in herself and executes every pitch, trusting the coaches every step of the way. I’m grateful for the time I got to spend coaching her and the example she set for those to follow. This is just the beginning for her. … I think she’ll do great things for the Gators.”