Flag football playoffs: Verdugo Hills hands Birmingham its first program defeat

With her hair dyed red, her shoes red and her gloves pink, Julianna Sarabia is all in on bleeding Verdugo Hills High red.

A standout for the school’s soccer team, she also has gained fame in flag football. She was at her best Wednesday in an opening game of the City Section Open Division playoffs, using her speed and instincts to make an interception and run 60 yards for a touchdown.

No. 4-seed Verdugo Hills made history by handing defending City champion Birmingham its first defeat in two years of its flag football program with a 12-0 victory, sending the Dons into next Wednesday’s semifinals against top-seeded San Pedro.

Sarabia has nine interceptions returned for touchdowns. She didn’t return the one against the Patriots for a score, but it did set up a touchdown pass from Emily Wagner to Meadow Moore in the first half that put Birmingham on the defensive.

Verdugo Hills certainly knows something about causing the Patriots problems, because it also held Birmingham scoreless in a 0-0 tie to open the season.

Verdugo Hills’ coach, Darren Fitzgerald, is a former 11-man head coach for the Dons. He has brought together a collection of multi-sport athletes to perform well in flag football.

There’s a toughness in them, as several showed off scabs on their arms. Sarabia briefly went down after a run but immediately got back up. She plays free safety and it’s tough for any big plays to happen with her defending the field.

The other semifinal will match Banning at Eagle Rock. Banning upset No. 2-seeded Marshall 19-7. Eagle Rock knocked off Garfield 38-12. Halyee Weatherspoon had two touchdowns, including returning an interception for a score, and MarySol Jernigan passed for four touchdowns.

San Pedro defeated Crenshaw 34-12. The winners next Wednesday will advance to the championship game at Crenshaw on Nov. 23.