Coronado set to defend Class 4A state flag football title

Coronado flag football coach Rusty Andersen spent the season reconfiguring his team’s chemistry.

And winning another league title in the process.

“But we’re not the same team we were last year,” he said Tuesday. “And playoffs are a different animal.”

The Cougars, despite significant roster turnover and the loss of all-state quarterback Caitlin Shannon to track and field, are ready to defend their Class 4A state championship after finishing an arduous regular season with their second consecutive Southeast League championship, giving them the league’s top seed in the Desert Region tournament.

Coronado (14-4, 8-2 Southeast) gets a double-bye and won’t play until Wednesday, giving the Cougars a week to work out the kinks that stymied them at times this season.

Specifically, the offense.

“It’s been a challenge, no doubt about it,” Andersen said. “It’s just been some inexperience and trying to figure it out. Some head scratching movements, some really good stuff and some not so good stuff.”

Shannon passed for 4,003 yards, 73 touchdowns and six interceptions last season while guiding the Cougars to a 22-0 record and their first state title. But she told Andersen in the offseason of her intention to run track, leaving the team with a void under center.

So the coach turned to sophomore Kaylin Hall, who has thrown for 2,215 yards, 40 touchdowns and 14 interceptions this season.

“Coming into the season, I thought I was going to have another season to kind of prepare for the varsity level,” Hall said. “Coming (after) someone like her, having those shoes to fill, it’s definitely a big role to play.”

The offense struggled at times with Hall and was shut out in a loss to Tech on Jan. 18. Andersen, seeking a spark, called up shifty freshman Ashtyn Almeido and played both quarterbacks in the final five games.

The two push each other in practice and helped the Cougars win four of those five games to clinch the league title.

“It’s been a lot of pressure,” said Almeido, noting the adjustment from the freshman to varsity level. “But after a couple games, it’s been a lot of fun.”

Hall has a slightly stronger arm, Andersen said, and Almeido is a little more elusive in the backfield. The two are good friends and eager to co-anchor the offense for the playoffs.

“They cheer as hard for each other as they do when they’re out there,” Andersen said. “It’s been good. It’s a great group of kids. We’re still trying to sort through our chemistry, like what’s the best way to make us go. We’re definitely closer.”

More preps: Follow at nevadapreps.com and @NevadaPreps on Twitter.

Contact reporter Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on Twitter.