Behind the pinpoint passing of Sierra’s Maitland Kohoutek with her favorite target of Janessa Barnes, the Timberwolves closed out the inaugural Tri-City Athletic League flag football season Thursday night with their third victory in four games, downing Millennium 28-20 at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium.
“We have been working really, really hard all season,” Kohoutek said. “And to finally see it all come together and play for our seniors at the same time really made it a special day, and we all really enjoyed it.”
Kohoutek (two carries, 29 yards) with was 11 of 17 passing for 203 yards with touchdown passes of 24, 39 and 40 yards to Barnes (five receptions, 148 yards) and one of 22 yards to Kate Rizon (two receptions, 30 yards). Kohoutek did have an interception and her 39-yarder to Barnes was the first play from scrimmage for Sierra (3-9 TCAL, 4-10 overall).
“This is just such a great feeling,” Barnes said. “This is so great for the seniors tonight – absolutely.”
The two teams met earlier in the season on Thursday, Sept. 14, with the Falcons (6-10, 8-10) winning 20-12, and this left its mark on Sierra’s Taylor Zalunardo, who had seven pulls.
“It was a tough loss against them the first time,” Zalunardo said. “That motivated me and I just really wanted to win.
“I just wanted to protect our end zone and not give up any points.”
Kohoutek made an interception, and Barnes made a 25-yard circus catch on one of Kohoutek’s passes midway through the first half.
Timberwolves coach Chris Zalunardo is pleased that his team is headed in the right direction.
“It was super exciting to see our team finally come together and get the win,” Coach Zalunardo said. “Our last game we had had a good game and played well, and this game the same thing, we played well.
“We had a couple of holes in the defense, but we still pulled it together. I am proud of the girls.”
Millennium’s Jocelyn Hernandez (13 of 20 passing, 214 yards, three touchdowns, interception) connected with Alicia Robinson (four receptions, 48 yards) with 1- and 20-yard touchdown passes and Isabella Gomez with a scoring toss of 5 yards.
