SAN RAMON — There was no quit in Alameda on a rainy Thursday night in San Ramon.
Even when it looked as if the Hornets were on the brink of falling apart, the defense found ways to make an improbable stop to shift the momentum.
When the offense’s back was against the wall, it dialed up a big play to keep drives alive.
In other words, Alameda stood on business.
In what was a wild finish, quarterback Aaliyah Soderlund threw a miraculous game-winning touchdown pass to Leaira Robinson in overtime to lead fourth-seeded Alameda over No. 14 Alhambra 26-20 to win the inaugural North Coast Section flag football championship at California High School.
Alameda gathers for a group photo to celebrate winning the North Coast Section flag football championship at California High School in San Ramon, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Alameda defeated Alhambra 26-20 in overtime to win the first place title. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
“This means a lot to our school and to us,” Robinson said. “For us to do this together and to come so far, especially for a sport that’s so new, it just means so much. We will forever be remembered with a banner in our gym.”
In the semifinals earlier Thursday, Alameda blew past Heritage 32-14 and Alhambra upset No. 2 seed and host California 19-18 in overtime to set up an epic final.
Both teams played evenly throughout the first 46 minutes, but everything changed once it became crunch time.
With the game tied at 14 and under two minutes left, Alameda drove down the field in three plays, ending the possession with a five-yard run from Soderlund to take a six-point lead. The Hornets went for the two-point conversion, but failed, keeping the score 20-14 with 30 seconds to play.
Alameda’s Aaliyah Soderlund (1) reaches to score a touchdown against Alhambra in the second half of their North Coast Section flag football championship at California High School in San Ramon, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Alameda defeated Alhambra 26-20 in overtime to win the first place title. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Soderlund was 18-of-27 passing for 209 yards and two touchdowns to Zalayah Cobarruviaz and also rushed for a score.
As the Hornets’ offense walked to the sidelines, the Alameda crowd sensed an NCS title was on the cusp. Loud cheers and champion chants rained down on the field with players celebrating as Alhambra’s offense took possession.
But Alhambra wasn’t done yet.
In a play that resembled the infamous “Immaculate Reception” between the Steelers and Raiders in a 1972 playoff game, Alhambra quarterback Jessica Blake fired a pass over the middle that was tipped in the air and caught by senior Julissa Islas, who then ran clear into the end zone for a 60-yard touchdown to tie the game.
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Alameda players were thoroughly shocked. With just 20 seconds left, a Alhambra one-point conversion would essentially end the game and the Hornets would have to watch as the Bulldogs celebrate winning a section title.
But as fast as they could get to the line of scrimmage, the Hornets put all their efforts into making one last stop. From the one-yard-line, Alhambra attempted a throw over the middle, but multiple Alameda defenders broke up the pass to force overtime.
“We have been in tough situations where we felt lost,” Soderlund said. “We just knew we were gonna come back. It wasn’t over. We knew we were a championship team at the end of the day. We’ve always said that.”
Alhambra had the first possession of the overtime period and looked to be inching closer to taking a lead. But Robinson made her first big play in overtime, intercepting a pass on fourth down to give possession back to Alameda.
To add more suspense to an already exciting game, Soderlund passed what she thought was the game-winning touchdown to Cobarruviaz on the very next play. But the touchdown was called back after an illegal block in the back penalty that sent the Hornets 10 yards back.
Three unsuccessful plays later, the Hornets had the ball 25 yards from the end zone. Alameda had only one option left: A Hail Mary.
Soderlund scrambled and evaded a pass rusher to give her the space needed to heave one last ball. As the ball sailed through the air, Robinson found an opening in the back of the end zone behind Alhambra defenders.
The ball came down over the defense and dropped perfectly into Robinson’s hands.
Ball game.
“I don’t know, I just told my receivers, ‘Go deep,’” Soderlund said about the game-winning play. “I’m gonna throw it in there. Someone catch it, please. And that’s what we did.”
The celebration started immediately after the handshake line. Coaches were showered with gatorade baths and the dance party commenced.
Alameda assistant coach Akeem Diaz is doused with water after defeating Alhambra during their North Coast Section flag football championship at California High School in San Ramon, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Alameda defeated Alhambra 26-20 in overtime to win the first place title. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Alameda celebrates defeating Alhambra during their North Coast Section flag football championship at California High School in San Ramon, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Alameda defeated Alhambra 26-20 in overtime to win the first place title. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
For Alameda, the win was confirmation of what it already knew. Despite other teams in the Bay Area garnering higher rankings, the Hornets truly believed they were the best team in the region.
Alameda coach Michael Lee even went as far as to say he tried to schedule a game with Southern California powerhouse Orange Lutheran, which is currently the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps state rankings, but couldn’t get the timing right to travel his team to Orange County.
But most of all, Lee is proud that Alameda is the first team to ever win an NCS flag football crown.
“I knew we were talented,” Lee said. “It just would have to come together. I’m just really excited for the growth of this sport. I think more teams are coming in and it’s just a really good opportunity.”
The evening sun illuminates a large storm cloud as California plays against Alameda during a semifinals game in the North Coast Section flag football championship tournament at California High School in San Ramon, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Alameda’s Elsa Chin (11) runs for yardage against Alhambra in the second half of their North Coast Section flag football championship at California High School in San Ramon, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Alameda defeated Alhambra 26-20 in overtime to win the first place title. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Alhambra’s Jesseca Harcourt (2) celebrates her touchdown against Alameda in the second half of their North Coast Section flag football championship at California High School in San Ramon, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Alameda defeated Alhambra 26-20 in overtime to win the first place title. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Alameda quarterback Aaliyah Soderlund (1) tries to avoid being sacked by Alhambra’s Eva Brown (5) in the second half of their North Coast Section flag football championship at California High School in San Ramon, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Alameda defeated Alhambra 26-20 in overtime to win the first place title. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Alhambra quarterback Jessica Blake (1) passes the ball while being pressured by Alameda’s Kiara Richard (27) in the second half of their North Coast Section flag football championship at California High School in San Ramon, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Alameda defeated Alhambra 26-20 in overtime to win the first place title. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Alhambra’s Abril Gutierrez (16) leaps for a pass while being guarded by Alameda’s Leaira Robinson (10) in the second half of their North Coast Section flag football championship at California High School in San Ramon, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Alameda defeated Alhambra 26-20 in overtime to win the first place title. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
First place medals await to be handed out to Alameda after defeating Alhambra during their North Coast Section flag football championship at California High School in San Ramon, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Alameda defeated Alhambra 26-20 in overtime to win the first place title. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)