Shorthanded Pembroke Pines Charter topped by Tampa Robinson in 1A flag football state title game

The Pembroke Pines Charter girls flag football program reached the Class 1A state championship for the first time in school history as their impressive playoff run fell short with a 27-6 loss to Robinson at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa on Saturday.

Pembroke Pines Charter trailed 13-0 at halftime in the championship contest. Rivera threw a touchdown pass to Daniels in the second half to lead the Jaguars offense. The Jaguars played without standout sophomore wide receiver and safety Madison Ojeda, who missed the contest due to injury.

They defeated Choctawhatchee 25-19 in the state semifinal on Friday. The Jaguars jumped out to a 7-0 advantage in the first quarter as junior quarterback Ava Rivera connected with sophomore Kayla Gomez on a scoring pass.

The Jaguars had a 7-6 lead at halftime and pulled away in the third quarter. Rivera tossed a pair of touchdown passes to Jasmyn Daniels to extend the lead to 19- 6. Rivera fired a scoring pass to Gomez to make it 25-13 in the fourth quarter.

Pembroke Pines Charter’s path to the title game started by cruising past Somerset Academy 32-6. That was followed by wins over Monsignor Pace (20-6) and Pompano Beach (30-12). The Jaguars advanced to the state semifinal after a 26-6 victory against Homestead.

Ojeda led the Jaguars in receiving touchdowns on offense and interceptions on defense. Junior Jocelyn Garcia finished second on the team in both touchdowns scored and interceptions.

Pembroke Pines Charter coach Keidran Willis started with the flag football program in 2017. The Jaguars finished with 18 wins this season.

“We have been knocking on the door winning district championships and getting to regional finals and were finally able to get over the hump and get to the state championship,” Willis said. “We have a team that has come together and we have a lot of veteran leadership. We have been very successful and it’s been a magical year.”

Willis added the girls flag football program had a historic season and received support from the school.

“We had a lot of excitement and it’s by far one of the popular sports at school,” Willis said. “We had a good sendoff from staff and students. Our girls have really elevated flag football and we had a great following.”

Rivera, a first-year starter at quarterback who joined the Jaguars this season, stepped up during their playoff run.

“Ava was able to get us here,” Willis said. “She continued to get better and improved each game from the beginning of the season and was an explosive player. “

Wellington falls in 2A state semis

The Wellington girls flag football program fell 7-0 to Ruskin Lennard in a Class 2A state semifinal on Friday. The Wolverines, under the direction of coach Robert Callovi, reached the Class 2A state semifinal for the first time in school history.

Wellington was led by senior quarterback Keelin Coleman, sophomore receiver Avery Schroeder, junior receiver Jordan Fernandez and senior rusher Sydney Lopez.

Wellington recorded playoff victories against Deerfield Beach, Stoneman Douglas, Seminole Ridge and Fort Pierce Central to reach the state semifinal.