ATLANTA, Ga. – For the fourth straight season, the Ottawa University women’s flag football team has won the NAIA Flag Football Finals. The Braves avenged an early season loss to Keiser University, defeating the Seahawks, 26-6, in the championship game. Earlier on Friday, OU defeated Warner University in the tournament semifinals, 20-6.
Warner University W, 20-6
Ottawa received the ball to start its semifinal contest with the Royals. The Braves put together a five play, 66 yard scoring drive that ended in a 12 yard touchdown pass from Madysen Carrera to Marley Spielberg. The extra point attempt to Jazlyn Camacho was good and with 9:33 on the clock, Ottawa led 7-0.
Warner, quickly answered. The Royals had a 12 play, 66 yard scoring drive and with 1:46 remaining in the first quarter, the game was tied 7-7.
The rest of the half with riddled with punts and turnovers and the game was tied 7-7 at the half.
At the start of the third quarter, the OU defense forced a Warner punt and the Brave offense took over on its own 39 yard line.
On its first offensive possession of the second half, the Braves were able to retake the lead. Carrera thew a five yard touchdown pass to Tatiana Dos Santos. Mandolyn Scalisi’s extra point attempt was good and the Braves had a 14-7 lead with 6:05 remaining in the third quarter.
Warner moved the ball to its own 33 yard line and had a fourth and seven on its second offensive possession of the second half. The Roylas chose to go for it but Abby Brown broke up the pass and the Braves took over on downs.
The Brave offense took advantage of its excellent field position and extended its lead over Warner. Carrera capped off the drive with a two yard touchdown pass to Bailey Hodgins. The extra point attempt by Camacho was good and OU had a 21-7 lead with 10:20 left in the game.
On their third offensive possession of the second half, the Royals were able to cut into the Brave lead and with 5:13 on the clock, OU led 21-13.
Ottawa ran 11 plays on the final drive of the game, running out the clock to take the 21-13 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa finished the game with 252 yards of offense, 271 yards passing and -19 rushing. Warner had 22 yards rushing and 174 yards through the air for 196 yards of offense.
- Madysen Carrera was 31-for-39 through the air for 271 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
- Tatiana Dos Santos led OU with seven receptions for 41 yards and one touchdown.
- Marley Spielberg had five receptions for 60 yards and one touchdown.
- Abby Brown and Susann Kaufmann led OU with six flag pulls apiece. Brown had one pass break up.
- Teliyah McInnis, Cynthia Homs, and Jukanie Washington had one interception apiece.
Keiser University W, 26-6
Both Keiser’s and Ottawa’s first opening possessions of the game ended in interceptions. On the Seahawks second drive of the game, KU moved the ball to the Ottawa nine yard line. Ottawa held and OU’s offense took over on downs.
Ottawa road that momentum and put together a 10 play, 71 yard scoring drive that ended in an eight yard touchdown pass from Madysen Carrera to Addison Orsborn. The extra point attempt was no good and with 4:48 left in the second quarter, OU led 6-0.
Keiser responded with a scoring drive of its own and the game was tied, 6-6 with 1:54 remaining in the second quarter.
The Braves did not sit back and let the clock run out to the half. Ottawa answered with its second straight scoring drive. This one was eight plays and 66 yards that took 1:34. Carrera threw an eight yard touchdown pass to Jazlyn Camacho. The extra point attempt was good and the Braves took a 13-6 lead into the locker room.
Ottawa received the ball to start the third quarter. Using 7:03 of the clock, OU’s scoring drive took 11 plays and 66 yards. Carrera threw a five yard touchdown pass to Alyssa Linkous, giving the Braves a 19-6 lead.
On the Seahawks first drive of the second half, they moved the ball to the OU seven yard line. On fourth and seven with 11:15 left in the game, Dejonice Parris intercepted KU quarterback Jazmin Rhoden and OU had the ball on its own 22 yard line.
Ottawa ran the clock and moved the ball methodically down the field. 10 plays, six minutes and 59 seconds later, OU was in the end zone. Carrera and Linkous connected for the second time in the game for the touchdown. The extra point attempt by Marley Spielberg was good and OU led 26-6 with 4:16 remaining in the game.
Keiser was able to drive the ball to the OU four yard line but the OU defense held firm, forcing a turnover on downs. Ottawa ran out the final 1:25 on the clock, taking the 26-6 victory.
Inside the Box Score
The Braves finish the season with an overall record of 17-4. OU won its fourth straight NAIA Flag Finals, KCAC regular season championship, and KCAC Tournament Championship.