The Staten Island Giants (Staten Island, New York) and Apex Predators Chargers (Las Vegas) partook in the girls 18-and-under NFL Flag Championship.
Initially a tight contest, Staten Island required a touchdown with no time remaining in the first half to go up, 14-7, before intermission. The future champions rode that momentum to another level in the second half, eventually achieving a 28-7 victory over the Apex Predators.
Giants quarterback Valentina Fanetti controlled the game with accurate throws. Staten Island’s defense contained the Apex Predators’ offense by contesting nearly every ball that was thrown, and didn’t allow a single point in the second half.
Fanetti completed 14 of 17 for 116 yards and four touchdowns, a sterling performance that earned her the game’s MVP award.
“It honestly means the world,” Fanetti said in a postgame interview with ESPN. “I couldn’t have done it without all of my receivers out there.”
Fanetti’s favorite targets were wide receivers Olivia Rijo and Allison Gandlin. Rijo caught six passes for 55 yards and a touchdown, while Gandlin recorded five receptions for 39 yards and two scores.
“It took a lot of grit, a lot of wanting to be here and a lot of teamwork,” Rijo said after the game. “We worked so hard and this group of girls is one of the most unique that I have ever seen.”
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