Tampa Bay Tech, Alonso stay alive

Less than 30 seconds remained in Saturday's regional flag football semifinal as a fourth-down pass sailed toward the back of the end zone and East Bay's Delaney Poli, who hauled the ball in and clutched it tight.

Tampa Bay Tech coach Reggie Lawrence said he held his breath.

"I knew it was close," Lawrence said. "I stared at the ref to see what he thought."

The ref ruled Poli was out, which, for all intents and purposes, meant East Bay was out as well.

TBT (11-1) took over and ran out the clock, sealing an 18-12 victory.

"I never felt comfortable through the whole game," Lawrence said. "That's the way this game is."

TBT took a 12-point lead into the second quarter - after 10- and six-play touchdown drives - only to have East Bay's Kayla Cyrus score on a 40-yard run just before intermission.

The Titans then carried an 18-6 lead into the fourth quarter after Jazmine Joseph scored the second of her two touchdowns, both thrown by Leria Jenrette.

Jenrette caught the Titans' first touchdown pass, an 8-yarder from Dasia Daniels.

East Bay finished its season 11-2.

Scott Purks

Alonso holds on, beats Chamberlain

Two weeks ago, the Alonso flag football team would have settled for a trip to district.

Not anymore.

After a 14-7 win against host Chamberlain on Saturday, the Ravens will play in Tuesday's regional against Tampa Bay Tech.

"We had only one goal at the start of the year," Alonso junior Elizabeth Shields said of winning a district title. "That doesn't mean anything anymore. We got greedy now. We want it all."

Alonso (11-1) had to sweat it out at the end. The scoreboard wasn't working, so when the Chiefs charged downfield for a game-tying drive, neither team knew how much time was left.

Chamberlain (10-2) took possession after Joanna Matos' interception at midfield late in regulation. The Chiefs moved the ball to the Alonso goal line but Chamberlain quarterback Clarice Devine was sacked by Jordan Work to force fourth down. Devine overthrew her receiver as time expired and Alonso escaped.

Carlee North's 2-yard TD run in the third quarter broke a 7-7 tie.

Jeff Berlinicke