Poway flag football team heads to playoffs after three-way tie for league title

Poway High’s girls’ flag football team finished in a three-way tie for the Avocado League title.

One of the tri-champs, Torrey Pines, is No. 2 in the 8-team bracket. The other, Carlsbad, earned the No. 3 seed in Division 1.

Poway was seeded as the No. 1 team in Division 2, but while that might seem peculiar, it’s based strictly on the MaxPreps Power Rankings, and that’s where Poway finished. Mission Hills, which finished behind Poway in league, is seeded No. 6 in Division 1.

After what happened a year ago, don’t expect Titans coach David Arnold to complain. In a similar spot in 2024, one of the 12 teams in Division 1 decided it didn’t want to participate in the first section playoffs.

As a result, Poway moved up to No. 12 in Division 1, winning its first game against Mission Hills 25-13 before barely losing to Mira Mesa 12-6 in the quarterfinals.

The Titans earned a first-round bye in the 12-team bracket and will play at home Saturday at 5 p.m. against the winner of the first-round game between O’Farrell Charter and La Costa Canyon.

Del Norte is seeded No. 11 in Division 2.

Despite posting a 13-6 record, compared to 16-3 a year ago, Arnold says this year’s Titans are significantly improved in just their second year of play. He said it’s true of every team.

“We made a more aggressive schedule with high-end teams and because we were 6-0 in the Palomar League a year ago, they moved us to the Avocado League, which is much stronger top to bottom,” said Arnold, whose daughter, Mackenzie, is in her second year as the team’s quarterback.

“There was so much learning the first year, but we returned a lot of experienced players. Although it took us a few weeks, we adjusted to the numerous rule changes, so going into the playoffs we’re a way better team this year.

“We had to completely change our playbook with the changes but we’re still throwing the ball 90 to 95% of the time. There aren’t as many really long pass plays but because of the speed of the rush, we get the ball out quicker.”

Almost every team playing flag football has made similar changes, so it remains a high-flying, up tempo, and quickly-growing game.

Because of the larger number of teams there are five divisions in the playoffs this year — up from four a year ago. The playoffs started Tuesday.

Additionally, the programs themselves are bursting at the seams.  Poway not only has 19 players on the varsity, but another 19 played junior varsity after 60 showed up for tryouts, leaving Arnold looking to add a freshman/novice program for those who have never played before.

Elsewhere, not only is the NFL getting involved and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics offering the sport, but the NCAA is taking a serious look, which could change the whole dynamic if college scholarships become available.

Of those 19 varsity Titan players, only six are seniors while two freshmen were skilled enough to make the team.

Mackenzie, a senior, is the key as she played the sport before it became a high school staple in addition to playing soccer. Multisport athletes are the norm rather than the exception with track and field as well as soccer making a big impact.

The fast, strong-armed quarterback, who also plays defensive back, takes advantage of athletic teammates like speedy running back Jordan Lemler, who also rushes the passer; sophomore Payton Atkinson, a sure-handed wide receiver; two-way standout Ashley Crafton, a wide-receiver linebacker; junior linebacker-wideout Delaney Hughes; and one of the captains, Julia Skalsky, the center whom he calls the unsung leader who also finds ways of getting open to catch short passes.

After outscoring his opponents 485-168 last year, coach Arnold realized quickly that defense had been upgraded with the rule changes so through 19 games the Titans have outscored their foes 347-172.

“Teams, even this year, have scored like 83 points in a game, which I don’t believe in,” he sad. “First of all, that’s embarrassing to them, but it also means we’re not getting game experience for our kids who could use it.

“But our defense has been really good. We only allowed more than 20 points once (in a 47-28 win over Vincent Memorial).

“It’s just a different feeling going into the playoffs this year — a better one.”