San Joaquin County flag football first-round playoff scores, recap

The road to a section championship is never predictable, and the opening round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section flag football playoffs proved it.

Eleven San Joaquin County teams entered the postseason Oct. 28. By the time the final games ended, only five were left standing.

Some teams took another step toward making history . Others watched promising seasons end before they could reach the quarterfinals.

Who survived the opening round? Which results turned heads? And how did the county's playoff field shrink so quickly?

Here's a closer look at every first-round result before the quarterfinals begin Monday, Nov. 2.

No. 6 Pleasant Grove 45, No. 11 Edison 0

The worst loss of Edison's season came at the worst possible time. After being shut out only once in the regular season, the Vikings were overwhelmed by Delta League runner-up Pleasant Grove, allowing their highest point total of the year.

What a difference a year makes. Last season, Tokay's playoff run ended with a 45-0 first-round loss. This time, the SJAA champions were on the other side of a shutout, scoring their most points since the season opener. Sophomore Asha Virk tossed five touchdowns, three to Yasmin Guadarrama, while Zoe Mirelez, Prabdeya Deol, Adison King and Isabella Martinez each grabbed an interception.

Sometimes the playoff draw just isn't in your favor. For Kimball, that meant facing Granite Bay, ranked No. 25 in California and No. 2 in the section. Still, sophomore Mackenzie Romeril, who had attempted just one pass all season, completed 12 of 17 for 100 yards and a touchdown to Yanelle Gill.

Everything seemed to favor Lodi. The county's best team during the regular season was playing at home, but Manteca spoiled the party. Lily Dundas completed 23 of 32 passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns, with Gabby Leon hauling in eight catches for 162 yards and two scores. Myah Hayter contributed a touchdown and an interception, while Jaelyn Rosas made 16 flag pulls. Then came Sari Lawson's finishing touch, a walk-off interception to go with her touchdown and 10 flag pulls.

Tracy entered the playoffs as a TCAL co-champion with just five losses, and only fellow co-champion Lodi and Grant had managed to shut out the Bulldogs. That changed against Central California Athletic League champion Pitman, ranked No. 101 in California by MaxPreps.

A one-point try from Kayla Amarante ended up deciding everything. Even with Tessa Zalunardo held to her second-lowest passing total of the season, Sierra found a way to get it done. The quarterback, who entered with 3,912 passing yards and 53 total touchdowns, went 16 of 24 for 113 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions but remained effective on the ground with a team-high 77 yards on 11 carries. Freshman McKinley Robertson added an interception, while Amarante and Emalina Latu each scored.

Finding ways to win has become Lathrop's specialty. The Spartans entered the playoffs 20-3, having won three of four games decided by a single point, with Tracy handing them the only loss. This one wasn't quite as close, but it took a little help from the junior varsity team. Alexia Garcia, called up for the playoffs, completed 3 of 4 passes for 24 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown to fellow call-up Clarissa Garcia. Jaleiyah Ray contributed 65 rushing yards, 15 receiving yards and a one-point conversion, while Aaliyah Thompson's tackle for loss produced a safety.

Only one team had shut out Ripon all season, and it was the same team that held Tracy scoreless. Twelve Bridges, which finished third in the Foothill Valley League, became the second to do so.

No. 3 River Islands 48, No. 14 Leroy Greene Academy 0

On Oct. 23, 2025, River Islands walked off the field after an overtime loss ended its season at 8-10. The Riptide haven't lost since, improving to 19-0 and celebrating the program's first playoff victory. Ana Trigos completed 20 of 30 passes for 294 yards and accounted for five total touchdowns, while Sophia Delgado scored twice. Octavia Orndoff caught a touchdown among her 70 receiving yards, Kalina Rodriguez added 55 yards, a touchdown and her 26th interception, and Brianna Lee finished with 42 yards and a score.

Four years into its program, Millennium has yet to miss the playoffs. Unfortunately, that first postseason win will have to wait another year. Sonora entered at just 7-10 but showed why records can be misleading, scoring 50 points against a team that had allowed more than 20 only three times in its previous 16 games.