By: Julie Means

Photo courtesy of CdM Flag Football Boosters Photo by Diane Torrence

Hitting their stride at just the right time, the Sea Queens Flag Football Team from Corona del Mar High School persevered through early-season challenges with new personnel, coaches, and schemes, hard-fought battles, and amazing teamwork. Finishing regular season play with a record of 6-6, won-lost in a challenging division, they finished fourth in the Sunset League and ended the season as CIFSS D2 Champs!

“I’m so proud of them. We have a really young team, and they’ve been working really hard since August,” said Coach Theo Rokos. “We have a great group of girls and we have an awesome foundation here.“

Comprised mostly of sophomores and freshmen, the squad started coming together towards the end of the season to overcome the ups and downs experienced during the regular season. The young team also has young leadership, with the following captains: one junior, Brooke Morris (#13) and three sophomores; Mia Balabanian (#1), Addi Stern (#8) and AnnaSofia Dickens (#5). Their only senior, Salem Madden (#26) has become an amazing blocker in her first year playing the sport.

A pivotal shift occurred half-way through the season when Addi Stern transitioned from receiver to starting quarterback to lead the offense. She combined hard work and dedication to improve her skills quickly to become a dual-threat passer and rusher. The team gelled into a very well connected group of girls who always know how to work hard to achieve their goals, while having fun playing.

Starting offense for CIFSS playoffs are: Quarterback, Addison (Addi) Stern; Wide Receivers, Mia Balabanian; AnnaSofia Dickens; Brooke Morris and Shannon Parrott; Center, Hudson Rasic and Blocker, Salem Madden.

Starting defense for CIFSS playoffs are (rotations in games):

Rushers/Linebackers, Brynn Boyle; Reese Brighting; AnnaSofia Dickens; Violet Prohaska; Addi Stern; Secondary, Mia Balabanian; Samantha (Sam) Matlaf; Brooke Morris; Shannon Parrott; Mia Paleferri.

Aside from Stern, top performers on the team consist of Balabanian who is one of the leaders on the team in both interceptions on defense and touchdowns on offense. She also became a defensive leader for the team this year in her first year as captain. Dickens is a dominant wide receiver who also stepped up to become a rusher and punter this year. They are both members of the USA National Select Team, a top-tier group of only 48 girls who have been invited to join the program. Parrott and Morris have been top performers throughout the season on both sides of the ball as well.

The Coaching Team was also new in the pre-season, and have greatly inspired the girls to work together. Head Coach Theo Rokos moved to the top position after serving as the assistant coach last year. Offensive Coordinator Josh Calvin organized the offense and brought a fresh perspective and new plays

to the team, after completing his college football career as a quarterback at Utah/Murray State University (graduated from Murray State). Defensive Coach Joseph Webber elevated play with new sets.

“Addi Stern did an unbelievable job of running the football today,”

Coach Rokos said after their win at home against Ventura High School in the quarterfinals. “We just have a great group
of captains including AnnaSofia Dickens, Brooke Morris and Mia Balabanian on defense are just unbelievable. We work hard and play one day at a time. A standard is a standard around here. It’s a football school and we’re happy to be here. We appreciate it.”

ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND 1: Beat Agoura High School in a close away game, 20-18

Highlights - Mia Balabanian scored 2 touchdowns and a PAT (Point After Touchdown). Hudson Rasic scored one touchdown. Brooke Morris put points on the board with a PAT. Big plays from freshmen Brynn Boyle and Samantha Matlaf.

ROUND 2: Beat Linfield Christian High School at CdM, 7-6
Highlights - Intense game with excellent defense stopping big drives.

Shannon Parrot scored the touchdown. Hudson Rasic scored the PAT. QUARTERFINALS: Ventura High School at CdM, 27-20

Highlights - Addi Stern, 3 rushing touchdowns and 2 rushing PATs. AnnaSofia Dickens, 1 receiving touchdown. Hudson Rasic, one PAT. Mia Balabanian and Brynn Boyle each got one interception.

SEMI FINALS: at Newbury Park High School, CdM won 27-18

Highlights - Another intense game, well-played by the Sea Queens. Addi Stern, 2 touchdowns and a safety (rusher). Mia Balabanian: 1 touchdown. Brooke Morris: 1 touchdown. Shannon Parrott: 1 PAT. Defense: 3 interceptions from Brooke Morris, Sam Matlaf, Shannon Parrott

CHAMPIONSHIP: Coach Rokos wins D2 SS Championship in his first year at the helm with an amazing team of coaches and players. CdM won against Westlake HS, 26-14, Addi Stern scored 3 TDs, Brooke Morris 1, Addi scored 2 PAT and Shannon Parrot scored 1. Brooke got an interception. Defense led by Mia Balabanian and Anna Sofia Dickens throughout the game. It is a driven young team! All but one starter return to next year’s team.

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