By Mukala Kabongo
NEFJ Correspondent
NORTH ANDOVER – Fitchburg upset Peabody 15-14 in the Division 2 girls flag football state championship on Thursday night behind Bianelis Pena’s two touchdown passes.
“I’m proud of my girls, they battled through adversity and got it done,” said head coach Anthony Oquendo
Trailing 14-7 in the second half, Fitchburg’s defense forced a safety off an errant snap to make it 14-9. Needing a stop late in the fourth, the Red Raiders defense forced a turnover on downs that gave them one last chance to take the lead.
“It looked like we were about to go down but we just had to make plays,” said Pena.
With under one minute left to play in regulation the Red Raiders drove all the way down to the three-yard line needing a touchdown. Pena found Gabriana Siomos crossing the middle for the go-ahead score
“It was all about the hard work,” said Siomos
After coming close the past two seasons, Fitchburg finally became champions, a testament to their hard work and dedication to the program.
“I just thank god and all the family and community that came out for us and I couldn’t be more graceful,” added Oquendo
Division 1
St. Mary’s 12, Leominster 6 – Third straight title for Lady Spartans
St. Mary’s captured a third straight Division 1 girls flag football state championship after defeating Leominster 12-6.
“We compete, these girls compete,” said head coach Terrell Patterson
Quarterback Sophia Lafontant earned the game’s MVP, throwing two touchdown passes and adding an interception, along with a big pass break up on defense.
“I knew the defense was winning this game,” said Lafontant. “I just knew I had to run with them no matter how tired I was.”
On the Spartans’ opening drive Lafontant found Kaileigh Patters in the back of the end zone.
Leominster responded quickly with a touchdown drive of its own, but after a failed conversion the two teams were deadlocked at 6-6 for the majority of the game.
“We know them very well, we’ve played them for a number of years,” added Patterson.
With Leominster driving deep in St. Mary’s territory, the Lady Spartans’ defense forced a turnover on downs. On the ensuing drive, Lafontant went 3-3 on her pass attempts, including the eventual game-winning touchdown pass to Eleni Mae.
The Patriots have been huge supporters and advocates of the NFL’s push for flag football at the high school level and had Pat Patriot on hand to hand out the awards for both teams.
