Placer flag football smothers Yuba City in dominant defensive showing

Defense has been the backbone of the Placer High girls flag football team all season, and Tuesday night was no different. The Hillmen entered the game having not allowed more than six points since Sept. 16. That streak stayed intact as they smothered Yuba City 33-2 in Auburn to stay in the mix in a tight Foothill Valley League race. "There's no secret to this defense. They're a group of athletes who play well together. They play in unison, and they play hard and they show up," said Placer coach Joey Walker of the defensive unit. "They don't like giving up yards so they fight to stop everything they can. It's just a really fun group of athletes on that side of the ball." The defense set the tone early with an interception by junior Paige Denniston, who followed with a 22-yard touchdown strike to Lucia Manley on the next play. Sophomore Keira Moulton nabbed an interception on the ensuing Yuba City drive, returning it 38 yards for a touchdown. After forcing a punt, Denniston connected with Manley for the duo's second touchdown of the first quarter and the rout was on as the Hillmen led 21-0. "It was very important we set the tone early, and that's what we needed," said Denniston. "Once we did that, it was full steam ahead for us." While Placer's offense stalled in the second quarter, the defense forced two punts and two turnovers on downs to keep the Honkers off the board. "It's really nice when the defense shows up and it really takes the pressure off the offense," said Walker. "It sets them up in a better position. That's what we communicate with our defense. We want to make the offensive side of the ball have an easier night and put less pressure on them." Placer's offense found its spark again in the third quarter when Manley's interception set up a 50-yard touchdown run by Moulton. The sophomore standout wasn't done. She sealed the win in style late in the fourth with a 66-yard pick six for her third touchdown of the night. "I was feeling kind of down on myself before that second pick six because I kept missing flags," said Moulton. "I told myself that I have to do something here. I was mad at myself, but I had to keep going." Placer (10-4, 4-2 FVL) went on to edge Del Campo (9-5, 4-2) on Thursday 13-12. The Hillmen and Cougars trail Twelve Bridges by one game in the FVL standings. With each matchup having the potential to make or break a league championship run, Walker said it's critical to execute down the stretch and not look too far ahead. Said Walker, "We're just taking things one game at a time, because it is a bit of a carousel right now. It's just been a weird season and a weird journey with the rule changes, and every game's had a different feel to it. So our only focus right now is the next game." Placer hosts River Valley (3-12, 1-5) on Tuesday and Twelve Bridges (11-4, 5-1) on Thursday.