Pleasant Grove’s No. 8 Natalie Gatei runs a route.

 

ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Each game matters as the season winds down. One game can determine who will be named Delta League Champion. Three flag football games were played Oct. 7, and all six teams were part of the Delta League.

Elk Grove vs. Pleasant Grove

Elk Grove High School traveled to Pleasant Grove High School in the second meeting of the “Battle of the Groves” this season. In the previous matchup, Pleasant Grove pulled off a 20-18 win.

Elk Grove came into the game with a record of 8-5 overall and 4-3 in league play. Pleasant Grove had a better overall and league record at 9-3 (7-1).

This time the Thundering Herd came into the game looking to settle the score and come out victorious. And that is what they did. Coming out hot in the first half, Elk Grove took a 28-0 halftime lead.

As the game continued, tensions between the two rivals grew and started to get chippy. Both teams traded touchdowns in the second half, but Elk Grove hung on for 34-6 win. The Herd improved their record to 9-5 and 5-3 in league play, putting them in fourth place. Pleasant Grove dropped to 9-4 and 7-2, placing them in second with just a handful of games left.

Elk Grove's No. 3 Mackenzie McEntee gets ready for offensive possession.                           

Laguna Creek vs. Sheldon

Laguna Creek High School took on Sheldon High School at home, looking to even the two-game series. Sheldon won the first matchup 34-6. Sheldon went into the game with an astonishing 19-4 overall record, tied for first with Pleasant Grove. Laguna Creek on the other hand came into the game 7-8 overall and 2-5 in league play. Laguna Creek was looking to get back to .500 on the year.

The beginning of the game was rather slow as both teams failed to score until the second quarter. Then both teams score two touchdowns. Sheldon, however, was able to prevent Laguna Creek from converting the extra points, giving the Huskies a 14-12 lead at halftime. They extended their lead in the third quarter, scoring 20 points while preventing Laguna Creek from scoring. The Cardinals continued to fight and scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. But Sheldon answered with 14 of their own, winning 48-24. The Huskies improved to 20-4 and 8-1 in the league, taking sole possession of first place in the Delta League. This game dropped Laguna Creek to 7-9 overall and 2-6 in the league.     

Franklin vs. Monterey Trail

In the final game, Franklin High School traveled to Monterey Trail High School where Franklin looked to avenge its previous 27-7 loss. Going into the game, Franklin was 3-14 overall with a 2-6 league record. Monterey Trail was 11-7 and 5-3 in league competition.

Despite different records, the game was the closest of the day, going down to the final possession. Both teams each traded two touchdowns in the game. It was a defense-heavy game, with no free or easy points. The final score came down to an extra point conversion, which Monterey Trail pulled off. The Mustangs held on and won 13-12.

Monterey Trail improved to 12-7 overall and 6-3 in league play, putting them in third place before the last stretch of games. Franklin on the other hand dropped to 3-15 on the season and 2-7 in the Delta League.