Posted: Aug 26, 2025
ELK GROVE, Calif. – Juniors Natalia Zitelli and Nassali Serwanga each scored rushing touchdowns while Monet Zauner and Tayli Paeu-Lindgren each nabbed a pair of interceptions, leading St. Francis to a 13-0 shutout of Franklin in non-league varsity girls' flag football action Tuesday night. The varsity defensive battle followed a 12-7 comeback win for the Troubadours' junior varsity across Highway 99 at Sheldon, in which Chloe Hoertsch scored the go-ahead touchdown pass to Audri Gordon with no time remaining.
The two SF flag football squads remain undefeated for the season. Varsity improves to 6-0, just days removed from its tournament win at Rio Linda's Lady Knights Classic on Saturday. The jayvees are now 2-0, following their August 21 opener against Rio Americano.
The late burst of offense broke up what had been a scoreless tie for St. Francis and Franklin into the fourth quarter. Zauner and Paeu-Lindgren each recorded interceptions in the first half to keep the Wildcats off the board, but Franklin also held down its guest with a pick on a red-zone opportunity.
Paeu-Lindgren, normally a receiver on defense, snared a second interception early in the fourth on a third-and-goal situation. St. Francis finally got on the board thanks to back-to-back runs from Jade Abalateo and Zitelli, the second of which put the Troubies on the Wildcat 1-yard-line. This time, Zitelli scored the finishing touch to break up the 0-0 deadlock. Sophomore Lola Fox then hit Paeu-Lindgren for the one-point conversion, giving SF a 7-0 lead with 6:18 remaining in the contest.
The defense held off Franklin again, forcing a punt, then Serwanga capped the ensuing drive with her 14-yard TD run with 2:17 left. Holland Sperber's huge quarterback sack pushed the Wildcats deeper into their territory, then Zauner's second pick of the game effectively clinched the contest, allowing SF to take a knee to run out the clock.
Friday's win marked the fourth shutout of the year for the St. Francis varsity, and the third straight after abbreviated wins against Cordova (13-0) and Christian Brothers (7-0) at the Rio Linda tourney. In addition to the four interception and Sperber's sack, Taylor Mitchell and Abbey Pavelchik broke up five pass attempts between them to bolster the defense. Zitelli led the offense with 51 yards on nine carries, plus the go-ahead touchdown.
Earlier in the evening, the Troubie JV rallied back from a halftime deficit to forge the 12-7 victory. Freshman quarterback Kayla Engel-Deldio put Sheldon on the board with 2:30 left in the second quarter to craft the initial lead. However, Hoertsch found Julia Tipton from 15 yards out at the 0:58 mark before halftime. St. Francis did not convert the extra point, but managed to close that gap for the second half.
The two teams battled defensively throughout the second half, with sophomore Keanna Daneshvar coming up a key interception with less than a minute remaining. Hoertsch delivered to Gordon for the would-be game-winner, but Gordon could not hold on for the catch. Trusting in the athleticism of their receiver, head coach Matt Lemes instructed assistant Alex Hoang to run the same play and give Gordon a second chance. This time, Gordon came up with the walk-off catch, completing the Troubies' comeback with no time left.
The two SF flag football squads remain undefeated for the season. Varsity improves to 6-0, just days removed from its tournament win at Rio Linda's Lady Knights Classic on Saturday. The jayvees are now 2-0, following their August 21 opener against Rio Americano.
The late burst of offense broke up what had been a scoreless tie for St. Francis and Franklin into the fourth quarter. Zauner and Paeu-Lindgren each recorded interceptions in the first half to keep the Wildcats off the board, but Franklin also held down its guest with a pick on a red-zone opportunity.
Paeu-Lindgren, normally a receiver on defense, snared a second interception early in the fourth on a third-and-goal situation. St. Francis finally got on the board thanks to back-to-back runs from Jade Abalateo and Zitelli, the second of which put the Troubies on the Wildcat 1-yard-line. This time, Zitelli scored the finishing touch to break up the 0-0 deadlock. Sophomore Lola Fox then hit Paeu-Lindgren for the one-point conversion, giving SF a 7-0 lead with 6:18 remaining in the contest.
The defense held off Franklin again, forcing a punt, then Serwanga capped the ensuing drive with her 14-yard TD run with 2:17 left. Holland Sperber's huge quarterback sack pushed the Wildcats deeper into their territory, then Zauner's second pick of the game effectively clinched the contest, allowing SF to take a knee to run out the clock.
Friday's win marked the fourth shutout of the year for the St. Francis varsity, and the third straight after abbreviated wins against Cordova (13-0) and Christian Brothers (7-0) at the Rio Linda tourney. In addition to the four interception and Sperber's sack, Taylor Mitchell and Abbey Pavelchik broke up five pass attempts between them to bolster the defense. Zitelli led the offense with 51 yards on nine carries, plus the go-ahead touchdown.
Earlier in the evening, the Troubie JV rallied back from a halftime deficit to forge the 12-7 victory. Freshman quarterback Kayla Engel-Deldio put Sheldon on the board with 2:30 left in the second quarter to craft the initial lead. However, Hoertsch found Julia Tipton from 15 yards out at the 0:58 mark before halftime. St. Francis did not convert the extra point, but managed to close that gap for the second half.
The two teams battled defensively throughout the second half, with sophomore Keanna Daneshvar coming up a key interception with less than a minute remaining. Hoertsch delivered to Gordon for the would-be game-winner, but Gordon could not hold on for the catch. Trusting in the athleticism of their receiver, head coach Matt Lemes instructed assistant Alex Hoang to run the same play and give Gordon a second chance. This time, Gordon came up with the walk-off catch, completing the Troubies' comeback with no time left.
Emily Nguyen starred on the defensive stat sheet, pulling seven flags including three for sacks.
The SF-Sheldon game was almost literally an 11th-hour addition to the 2025 JV schedule. The Huskies initially had the date as a doubleheader with Mira Loma, but the Matadors not fielding a JV team this year, the game opened up to the Troubadours.
The SF-Sheldon game was almost literally an 11th-hour addition to the 2025 JV schedule. The Huskies initially had the date as a doubleheader with Mira Loma, but the Matadors not fielding a JV team this year, the game opened up to the Troubadours.
The two St. Francis flag teams reunite for a non-league home doubleheader against River City on Wednesday. Game times are 4 and 5 p.m. for JV and varsity, respectively.
