Sierra aired it out Wednesday against Lathrop in a non-league flag football contest, racking up 203 passing yards spread across seven different receivers and from three quarterbacks in a 16-0 win at Daniel Teicheira Memorial stadium.
“We have a bunch of weapons this year,” Sierra coach Chris Zalunardo said. “We have a lot of returners from last year, and we have a whole other group of talent that decided to play this year.
“We have a lot of targets to choose from.”
Janessa Barnes was a stalwart for the Timberwolves (5-3), pulling in 11 receptions for 100 yards, as well as grabbing three interceptions.
“I really try and set the tone,” Barnes said. “One player’s energy can affect the whole team, and I try hard to be that one player.”
Tessa Zalunardo (15 of 19 passing, 109 yards) and Maitland Kohoutek (7 of 15 passing, 94 yards) each delivered a touchdown pass for Sierra. Zalunardo hit Alison Cozby (two receptions, 25 yards) with a 20-yard scoring pass, and Kohoutek spotted Gracie Costa for a 1-yard touchdown toss.
“I feel like the game was good, but I could have done a little bit better,” Tessa Zalunardo said. “We executed our offense well.”
Taylor Zalunardo made eight pulls for the Timberwolves, and Jaylen Esteban grabbed four.
Tianna Gonzalez (eight pulls) and Dayanna Martinez (nine pulls) both made first-half interceptions for the Spartans (4-1). Martinez’s grab gave Lathrop the ball back with 13 seconds left and set the Spartans up with their best shot at a score, but time ran out before Lathrop could convert.
“It was a tough one tonight,” Spartans coach Randy Baltazar said. “Defensively, they were all over the place. They took away our playmakers, and their rush really put pressure on our quarterbacks, so offensively we were not able to execute our plays.
“Credit Sierra. They ran a good offense. No. 3 (Barnes) is a playmaker, and she is a really good athlete. They are well coached, and it is good for us to play a team like this, because it is just going to make us better. We are looking forward to league play next week.”
Lathrop’s Luz De Luna was 15 of 24 passing for 120 yards with two interceptions. Faith Allen gained 64 yards on seven receptions, and Kiana Quintero made 37 yards on six carries.
Faith Butler made seven pulls for the Spartans and Angelique Gonzalez six.
The Timberwolves open their tournament in Livingston on Saturday morning at 11 against Madera South and Lathrop begins Western Athletic Conference play in Los Banos against Pacheco on Monday at 6 p.m.
Junior varsity
Sierra 16, Lathrop 0
Mia Aguirre and Zhanee Sutton each scored a touchdown for the Timberwolves.
Aguirre scored on a 4-yard run in the first half and Sutton iced the game in the second half on a 50-yard run.
Sierra’s Mia Cordero and Noah Ingua both made an interception.
