CIF-SS FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Gahr (18-6) vs. San Clemente (13-9)

Where, when: Huntington Beach High, Saturday, 8:30 a.m.

Analysis: The Gahr girls flag football team is on the cusp of history going into its game against San Clemente in the CIF-SS Division 2 final. The Gladiators defeated their first four opponents in the playoffs by at least two touchdowns after finishing fourth in the Gateway League. In the playoffs they defeated Serra 24-12 in the first round, Upland 22-0 in the second round, La Habra 26-12 in the quarterfinals, and Segerstrom 30-0 in the semifinals. This will be Gahr’s first appearance in the flag football finals.

“We just stayed humble between everything and just stayed with the process and just kept grinding,” Gahr first-year coach Marnello Berry said. “We play a tough league schedule, and our tough league schedule was what was able to get us prepared for playoffs.”

Junior quarterback Maliah Gomez has thrown for 7,856 yards, 67 touchdowns and 26 interceptions.

“I’m very proud of my team,” Gomez said. “Just the trust as a QB being able to trust all my receivers, knowing that I could throw the ball up there and they’re out there to get it, really helps. I’m just very grateful for all of them.”

Senior receiver Camarra Brown-Stanton has 147 catches for 2,035 yards and 21 touchdowns.

“It’s been good,” Brown-Stanton said, “but those receiving yards, I can’t do it without my quarterback. So it’s a good connection that we have, and it’s a lot of team support that I have.”

Senior running back Devynn Gourdine has 1,627 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Gourdine also has 110 catches for 1,564 yards and 13 touchdowns.

“I’m also really proud of everybody,” Gourdine said. “I’m grateful that I get to play on such an amazing team.”

Junior receiver Mylia Garcia has 120 catches for 1,755 yards and 17 touchdowns and a team-high 35 interceptions on defense.

“I play soccer and I’m a goalie, so you have to interpret where the ball is going or try to know so that helps a lot,” Garcia said when asked about her ball-hawking ability.

San Clemente, which finished second in the Sea View League, beat Foothill 20-0 in the first round, Sonora 27-12 in the second round, Villa Park 13-12 in the quarterfinals, and defeated Chaminade 45-14 in the semifinals. The Tritons were Division 3 runner-ups in 2024.

Gahr is looking to finish its historic season with a victory.

“It would mean the world to me,” Berry explained. “Just to bring a championship to the City of Cerritos and to Gahr High School, but mainly to my girls and what they’ve meant to the program from the first day I walked on campus. They just bought into what I was telling them and what the other coaches were mentioning to them. They bought into the program and I think that’s what played a part into us being in the Division 2 championship.”

Gahr’s playoff dominance and high-scoring offense should lead it to a win in the Division 2 final.

Winner: Gahr