Huntington Beach: Oilers Break Playoff Streak to Reach Semifinals

Huntington Beach senior Roxie Shaia threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns to lead her team to a 25-6 victory over Mater Dei on Wednesday night. The win in Group D of the Open Division playoffs sent the Oilers to the semifinals, a milestone no other school has achieved in the top division. With a record of 22-5, Huntington Beach became the first program to reach this stage in all three years the CIF Southern Section has held flag football playoffs.

The path to the semifinals has been short for the sport in this region. Girls flag football was not recognized as a high school sport in the CIF Southern Section until recently. Shaia, who previously played baseball and softball, began playing flag football in middle school. She recalled playing in leagues like Friday Night Lights and Matt Leinart Flag Football, noting the rapid increase in the sport's popularity. Her experience as a quarterback with strong arm strength positioned her as a key player as the league expanded.

Huntington Beach, Mater Dei, and St. Joseph all finished with 1-1 records in Group D. The Oilers advanced based on point differential, the first tiebreaker used to separate teams with identical win-loss marks. The fourth-seeded team needed to win by at least four points to secure this advantage. They took control early, building a 13-0 lead by halftime. Shaia completed 28 of 36 passes, connecting with Shelby Nguyen, Daisy Quatman, and Brianna Massion for short touchdowns. Her patience in the pocket and accuracy were noted by opponents.

Mater Dei broke the shutout with 1:36 left in the third quarter. Allyson Schmida caught a six-yard pass from Tymane Allen to make the score 19-6. Huntington Beach responded in the fourth quarter with a short rushing touchdown by freshman Kyla Uno. The Oilers' defense also contributed to the victory, forcing several errant throws. Wide receiver and safety Brianna Massion and cornerback Isla Castillo recorded interceptions. Coach Zack Pannell, in his fourth year, credited the team's culture and toughness for the win.

Mater Dei, now 19-7, showed growth after losing in the first round of Division 2 last season. Coach Aaron Castillo, in his first year, was missing three players who were committed to U.S. soccer teams. He described the season as a period of improvement and team development. The Oilers will now face top-ranked JSerra in the semifinals on Saturday. The Lions, who beat Edison 39-7 in their semifinal, have extended their winning streak to 54 games. Huntington Beach will be attempting to reach its first section final.

Shaia expressed confidence in her team's chemistry as they prepare for the matchup. She noted that the team has worked hard to reach this point each year and believes they can break the pattern of stopping at the semifinals. The outcome of the Saturday game will determine if the Oilers can advance to the championship round of the Open Division.