After capturing its first Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship,
Merced (Calif.) enters the inaugural MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown with one of the nation's most prolific quarterbacks leading a veteran roster.
The MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown is scheduled for Sept. 11-12 at the Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. The event will feature 18 top programs from Alabama, California and Montana.
Senior quarterback and MaxPreps All-American
Antonia Lejarde headlines the Merced offense after
accounting for 8,131 total yards and 128 touchdowns last season. The
dual-threat standout threw for 7,100 yards and 107 touchdowns while
adding 1,031 rushing yards and 21 scores, making her one of the
country's most productive players.
"She started to use her legs for the first time," said Merced coach Victor Nazario of Lejarde. "I think that was the biggest thing that I noticed was different."
Averie Steverson will be a major weapon for reigning CIF section champion Merced, which will be on display at the MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown on Sept. 11-12. (PHOTO: Luke Pearson)
Lejarde is surrounded by an
experienced group of playmakers led by senior
Averie Steverson, who
hauled in 2,378 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns while adding seven
interceptions on defense. Junior
Amachi Turner provides another
dangerous target after finishing with 1,306 receiving yards and 15
touchdowns.
The Bears also return a strong defensive nucleus featuring sophomores
Ayasha Beavers and
Aniayah Barron and senior
Alyssa Oseguera. Barron recorded 17 sacks, Oseguera added 10 interceptions and Beavers led the team with 139 flag pulls.
Merced finished 25-4, won the Central California
Conference title and rolled past Ponderosa 33-6 in the section
championship game. The breakthrough season marked another significant
step for a program that was eliminated in the first round of the
playoffs in 2024 after reaching the section semifinals in 2023.
"We've put in a lot of hard work this offseason and continue to work hard," Nazario said. "So we're hoping to be able to meet any expectations that we have of ourselves."
