2024 Football Season Preview

VSN Girls Flag Football Podcast – Episode 2

🎙️ VSN Girls Flag Football Podcast Episode 2 – League Standings, Surprises, and Upcoming Matchups Hosted by Will Torrez | Sponsored by Innercare 🏈 Episode Summary In this week's episode, Will Torrez breaks down the latest Imperial Valley Girls flag football standings and highlights key teams making waves early in the season. From Holtville's surprising improvement to Imperial and Vincent Memorial's powerhouse rosters, this episode dives into the storylines shaping league play. Will also shares insights on the physical evolution of the sport, playoff implications, and matchups fans need to keep circled on the calendar. 📌 Key Highlights * Standings Update: Games pending between Calexico vs. Imperial and Southwest vs. Holtville. * Hopeville Vikings: Despite their record, they're showing major growth with standout players like Kaydence at QB. * Southwest Eagles: Coach Raul Granada's squad shows athletic promise and grit but still finding consistency. * Central Spartans: Talented as always but facing early-season struggles and key losses. * Brawley Wildcats: Anchored by Demi Conejo, Montoya, and Jacey Reeves; looking to rebound after losses to Imperial. * Calexico Bulldogs: Undefeated in league (2–0) with veteran leaders Maddie Montes and Ortiz. * Vincent Memorial Scots: High-powered offense led by Manriquez, Cervantes, and Trujillo. Known for relentless pace and national-level talent. * Imperial Tigers: A top contender with standouts Hellum, Baron, Davila, and speedster Addison Clark. 🏟️ Must-Watch Games * Imperial vs. Vincent Memorial – League-defining matchup next week. * Calexico vs. Brawley (Sept. 29) – Key test for both squads. * Central vs. Southwest (Sept. 15) – City rivalry with playoff implications. 💡 Will's Takeaways * The physicality of the game is increasing every season. * Coaches are "pioneers" shaping the early culture of girls flag football in the Valley. * Rule consistency and protective gear will be critical for the sport's future.

VSN Girls Flag Football Podcast – Episode 1

🎙️ VSN Girls Flag Football Podcast – Episode 1 Supported by: Innercare – Making life healthy from the inside out Host: Michael Garcia Welcome to the First Episode! The Valley Sports Network proudly launches its first Girls Flag Football Podcast, covering everything from scores and stats to interviews and updates across the Imperial Valley. Join us every other Wednesday as we follow the growth of one of the fastest-rising sports in the region. 🏆 2024 Season Recap The 2024 season was only the second year of girls flag football in Imperial Valley, and our teams showed incredible growth. * League Standings (2024): * Holtville – 3–19 (Ranked 58th) * Southwest – 4–15 (Ranked 54th) * Central – 11–13 (Ranked 38th) * Imperial – 15–8 (Ranked 21st) * Calexico – 11–9 (Ranked 19th) * Brawley – 17–8 (Ranked 15th) * Vincent Memorial – 15–3 (Best IVL record) * 2024 Co-Champions: Brawley & Vincent Memorial * CIF Playoffs: * Central – Division 3 * Calexico & Imperial – Division 2 * Vincent Memorial & Brawley – Division 1 * All-Star Game (San Diego Prep Sports Magazine): * Hannah Johnson (Imperial) – Blue Team MVP * Jayden Rutledge (Imperial) * Emily Marquez (Southwest) * Sarah Garcia (Southwest) * All-CIF 2024 Selections: * Defense: * 1st Team – Brianna Montano (Brawley), Hannah Johnson (Imperial) * 2nd Team – Jayana Montoya (Brawley), Demi Cornejo (Brawley) * Offense: * 1st Team – Jessica Manriquez (Vincent Memorial), J.C. Reeves (Brawley) * 2nd Team – Giovanna Ortiz (Calexico, QB) * National Recognition: * 2 nationally ranked players: Calexico & Vincent Memorial * Vincent Memorial – Preseason Top 10 team 📖 Big Rule Changes for 2025 Girls flag football will look very different this year with a number of major updates: * Point After Try (PAT): No defensive returns — now a dead ball. * Touchbacks: Ball spotted at the 14-yard line (previously 20). * Flag Guarding: Still a penalty, but no longer results in loss of down; must involve contact. * Intentional Grounding: Now a foul with loss of down. * Game Format: Switch from 2 halves → 4 quarters (12 minutes each at varsity level). * Clock Rules: Stops for penalties, scores, changes of possession, and final 2 minutes of halves. * Timeouts: 2 per half, no carryover; includes a 2-minute warning timeout. * Punting: Now legal; special recovery rules apply. * Screen Blocking: Legal for the first time (non-contact only). * Rush Rules: No more 7-yard rush mark; any player a yard off the ball can rush. * Quarterbacks: Can now scramble freely (no per-series limit) and no longer restricted by a 7-second pass clock. 👉 These changes are expected to make the game faster, more dynamic, and more exciting for both players and fans. 📊 Early 2025 Score Updates San Ysidro Invitational (Aug 10): * Holtville lost to San Ysidro (0–47) * Calexico beat Mira Mesa (#6 ranked) (13–7) * Southwest beat Kearny (26–14) * Imperial lost to Bonita Vista (#3 ranked) (close game) * Vincent Memorial (#10 ranked) lost to Grossmont (#4 ranked) (0–38) * Central lost to Hilltop (0–16) * Brawley vs. Scripps Ranch – score not reported Additional Games: * Aug 12 – Southwest beat Holtville (19–2) * Aug 13 – Imperial beat La Quinta (43–12) * Aug 14 – Central lost to Granite Hills (6–26) * Aug 15 – Vincent Memorial beat MiraCosta (28–6) & Woodbridge (21–19) * Aug 15 – Southwest lost to San Ysidro (6–39) * Aug 16 – Vincent Memorial lost to Western Christian (20–21) 📅 Upcoming Event Imperial Valley Classic Flag Football Tournament * Hosted by: Southwest HS & Imperial HS * Dates: Aug 18–20 * Game Times: 6:00 PM & 7:30 PM 🎧 Closing Thoughts The future of girls flag football in the Imperial Valley is bright. With new rules, strong teams, and nationally recognized players, this season is set to deliver exciting games and unforgettable moments. 🙌 A big thank you to Innercare for supporting the show. 📲 Follow Valley Sports Network on Instagram and YouTube for highlights, updates, and full coverage. 🎙️ Tune in every other Wednesday for new episodes of the VSN Girls Flag Football Podcast.

2024 Football Season Preview

Get ready for the 2024 Imperial Valley High School Football Season with this episode of the Valley Sports Network Podcast! Will Torrez, Ron Rubio, Coach Mike Swearingen and Jalen Fong discuss the highly anticipated kickoff to this year's football season and provide an in-depth preview of each team in the Desert League and the Imperial Valley League and offer their exclusive insights. Later in the episode, special guest Vic Carrillo from VSN joins the conversation adding his analysis on teams in the Imperial Valley League. The group also reflects on each team's performance last year and share what they hope to see from each team.

Pre-League Preview Part 2

In this episode of the Valley Sports Network Podcast, John Moreno, Vic Carrillo, Butch Morales and Coach Richard Gonzales preview this week's slate of games for Southwest, Calexico, Vincent Memorial, and Holtville as most teams start league this week and touch on what they have seen in the teams' performance in the season thus far. The panel also gives their analysis on who they think will end up being the top 5 teams in the Valley at the conclusion of the regular season.

Pre-League Preview Part 1

In this episode of the Valley Sports Network Podcast, Will Torrez, Ron Rubio, Coach Mike Swearingen and Jalen Fong recap the seasons in-depth of Calipatria, Palo Verde, Imperial, Brawley, and Central thus far and also give a preview of their league slate of games. The panel also gives their analysis on the surprises and questions that have arised in the first 6 weeks of the Imperial Valley High School Football Season.