The @jserra.girlsflagfootball team opened its quest for a third straight Trinity League title with a 41-7 victory over the Santa Margarita Eagles on Wednesday at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita.

JSerra improves to 11-0 overall on the season and has now won 39 consecutive games dating back to last season.

Sophomore Tessa Russell helped put the Lions ahead 7-0 with 9:44 remaining in the opening quarter, as she stepped in front of an Eagles pass and returned the interception 50 yards for a touchdown.

JSerra increased its’ advantage to 14-0 with 6:11 left in the first quarter, as senior Avery Olson took a pass from sophomore quarterback Kate Meier over the middle and raced into the end zone for a 49-yard touchdown reception.

Santa Margarita cut the deficit in half with a touchdown with 8:05 remaining in the second quarter.

Meier gave the Lions a 20-7 lead with 3:30 remaining in the half with a four-yard touchdown run.

Olson came up with a big defensive play with less than 30 seconds remaining in the half, as she registered a flag pull inside the Lions’ five-yard line on fourth down to thwart an Eagles’ scoring chance.

Meier connected with sophomore Sterling Flores on a 24-yard touchdown reception with 8:29 left in the third quarter to boost the Lions advantage to 27-7.

Russell hauled in Meier’s third touchdown pass from 21 yards out with 10:34 remaining to increase the Lions lead to 34-7.

Freshman Kate Edgar was the recipient of Meier’s fourth touchdown pass from seven yards out with 6:00 remaining for the final points of the game.

Meier completed 26-of-39 passes for 288 yards.

Olson and fellow senior Stella Day also added interceptions for the Lions.

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