San Diego, CA

PREVIEW: Dozens more San Diego-area high schools playing flag football this fall; here’s who to watch

Published

2 years ago

August 16, 2024

Press Room

PREVIEW: Dozens more San Diego-area high schools playing flag football this fall; here’s who to watch

Girls flag football

First contest: Saturday

Section finals: Nov. 21-23 (Playoffs will be in four divisions, up from two)

Defending champions: Bonita Vista (Division 1), Classical Academy (Division 2)

Offensive Player of the Year: Laurel Gonzalez (Torrey Pines)

Defensive Player of the Year: Mahilya Wilson (Bonita Vista)

Top teams (in alphabetical order): Bonita Vista, Brawley, Calexico, Cathedral Catholic, Classical Academy, Grossmont, La Costa Canyon, Mater Dei Catholic, Mira Mesa, Olympian, Our Lady of Peace, Morse, San Dieguito Academy, Torrey Pines.

Overview: The CIF introduced flag football as a varsity sport last year and it was a rousing success. The quality of play was beyond expectations. Success breeds success, and the sport has grown from 46 teams to 72 with the North County and East County schools jumping in.

Changes: Games have been lengthened from 20-minute halves to 24-minute halves.

Gabe Stamat

Poway is among the newcomers to girls flag football. (Gabe Stamat)

Notable

• San Ysidro hosts a showcase Saturday, beginning with Calexico vs. Grossmont (10 a.m.), Southwest-El Centro vs. Kearny (noon), Central Union vs. Mira Mesa (2 p.m.), Brawley vs. Bonita Vista (4 p.m.) and Imperial vs. San Ysidro (6 p.m.).

• Escondido hosts a tournament on Aug 24 featuring Mt. Carmel, Santana, Carlsbad, Steele Canyon, Sage Creek and Poway. The same day, Hoover will host a tournament featuring Madison, Scripps Ranch, Morse, Mater Dei Catholic, Brawley, Central Union, Holtville, San Diego High and Mission Bay.

• For the first time, the annual Honor Bowl will feature flag games. Grossmont will play host Cathedral Catholic at 5 p.m. on Sept. 6; the next day, Bonita Vista plays Classical Academy at 1 p.m. at Cathedral Catholic. The Honor Bowl also features three top-flight tackle football games.

• Classical Academy led the county in scoring last season, averaging 30 points a game behind freshman QB Ella Moore. The Caimans’ defense allowed an average of just 4.5 points a game.

• San Ysidro returns six all-league players, including WR-DB Kristine Fadriquela and DB-LB Mia Gonzalez.

• Grossmont returns nine of 14 starters, including QB Marissa Farace, who threw for 2,181 yards and 33 TDs; and DB Xairiah Gromus, who had 19 interceptions.

• Bonita Vista returns All-CIF player Jamiya Valenciano; Khamaya Rockett, who had 10 sacks last season; and Layla Schoen, who had 43 catches.

• California is one of just seven states that offers flag football. The others are Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Nevada, Alaska, New York, Arizona and Illinois.

• Flag football for men and women will be an Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Players to watch

(in alphabetical order)

Nurah Arrellano, Our Lady of Peace

Azul Amador, Central Union (7 receiving TDs, 9 interceptions in 2023)

Jennifer Aguas, Escondido

Justine Batcheller, Classical Academy (All-CIF in ’23)

Ashley Beard, Grossmont (38 tackles in ’23)

Siena Botkin, Grossmont, (4 interceptions in ’23)

Iris Brogan, Mission Bay (All-CIF in ’23)

Alegra Camacho, Mission Bay

Jaylah Conner, Central Union (All-CIF in ’23)

Demi Cornejo, Brawley

Isabelle Cruz, San Ysidro

Paula Cruz, Calexico (1,641 passing yards in ’23)

Yareli Del Rio, San Ysidro

Elly DeGuzman, Classical Academy

Belinda Diaz, Morse

Nia Diaz, Escondido

Lauren Donovan, Classical Academy

Eliana Dorsett, Oceanside

Jaylene Duran, Castle Park

Catie Eberhard, Scripps Ranch

Kristine Fadriquela, San Ysidro (1,112 passing yards in ’23)

Rhiane Fadriquela, San Ysidro (1,000 receiving yards ’23)

Marissa Farace, Grossmont (2,181 yards and 33 TDs in ’23)

Myesha Frank, Hoover

Kaylah Franke, Otay Ranch

Jacqueline Gonzalez, San Ysidro

Mia Gonzalez, San Ysidro

Kaila Gonzalez, Classical Academy

Paola Gonzalez, San Ysidro

Olivia Grant, Hilltop

Xairah Gromus, Grossmont (19 interceptions in ’23)

Emma Gryn, Classical Academy

Naomi Gutierrez, Escondido

Frankie Haley, Mater Dei Catholic

Mary Haynes, Classical Academy

Rita Hazard, Oceanside

Dayanna Hernandez, Mira Mesa

Shairya Hollingsworth, Morse

Jae Jensen, Grossmont

Anna Jimenez, Mater Dei Catholic

Isabel Johnson, Classical Academy

Keilana Johnson, Morse

Kaitlyn Kaye, Oceanside

Paola Longoria, Vincent Memorial (All-CIF in ’23)

Mia Maldonado, San Ysidro

Jessica Manriquez, Vincent Memorial

Liz Martinez, Oceanside

Mia Martin, Otay Ranch

Sam Mather, Scripps Ranch

Leilani Mayne, Calexico

Nayelli McPherson, Oceanside

Kaitlyn Milano, Morse

Courtyln Mitchell, Mission Bay

Ella Moore, Classical Academy (All-CIF in ’23)

Bre Montano, Vincent Memorial (All-CIF, 3,973 yards passing, 54 TDs in ’23)

Ella Moore, Classical Academy (All-CIF in ’23)

Bridget Moreno, Classical Academy

Madelyn Morquecho, Central Union (1,582 yards passing, 24 TDs in ’23)

Hannah Narcy, Oceanside

Kaila-Mei Nelson, Morse

Cassandra Neva, Morse

Chloe Ng, Scripps Ranch (All-CIF in ’23)

Jiselle Nunez, Classical Academy (All-CIF in ’23)

Bryanna Ortiz, San Ysidro (447 rushing yards in ’23)

Lizbeth Ortiz, Calexico (All-CIF in ’23)

Evelyn Estrada Ramirez, San Ysidro

Mia Ramirez, Bonita Vista

Mary Reger, Mission Bay (All-CIF in ’23)

Lana Roche, Castle Park

Khamaya Rockett, Bonita Vista

Saraya Roope, Grossmont

Liliana Sanders, Mira Mesa

Natalie Savary, Scripps Ranch

Marena Schiess, Mater Dei Catholic

Layla Schoen, Bonita Vista

Alyzette Sierra, San Ysidro

Ari Simpson, Grossmont

Hailey Stepenosky, Scripps Ranch

Jenna Stroh, Classical Academy

Vyanna Ta, Mira Mesa (552 rushing yards in ’23)

Sinalei Talaitina, Cathedral Catholic

Gabby Thomas, Grossmont (523 yards of total offense in ’23)

Sydney Tobias, Our Lady of Peace

Azul Trujillo, Vincent Memorial

Jamiya Valenciano, Bonita Vista (All-CIF in ’23)

Atiana Velazquez, Scripps Ranch

Emma Valdivia, Our Lady of Peace

Tayana Venegas, Brawley (1,025 receiving yards, 9 interceptions in ’23)

Vania Victoria, Olympian

Abby White, Escondido

Nylah White, Mira Mesa

Jayden Wilson, Oceanside

Delylah Young, Brawley (956 yards of total offense in ’23)

JOHN MAFFEI

Originally Published: August 16, 2024 at 9:43 a.m.

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San Diego, CA

Padres roster review: Miguel Andujar

Published

4 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Padres roster review: Miguel Andujar – San Diego Union-Tribune

MIGUEL ANDUJAR

Position(s): Third base, left field, first base
Bats / Throws: Right / Right
2026 opening day age: 31
Height / Weight: 6-foot / 211 pounds
How acquired: Signed as a free agent in February 2026
Contract status: Will make $1.5 million in 2026, with the opportunity to earn another $2 million-plus in performance bonuses; his $4 million guarantee includes a $2.5 million buyout against an $8 million mutual option for 2027.
fWAR in 2025: 1.1
Key 2025 stats: .318 AVG, .352 OBP, .470 SLG, 10 HRs, 44 RBIs, 36 runs, 17 walks, 49 strikeouts, 1 steal (94 games, 341 plate appearances)

STAT TO NOTE

.986 — Andujar’s OPS against left-handed pitching in 2025, the second-highest mark of his career and well above his career .807 OPS against southpaws. Andujar had been below .600 in 2021 and 2022 before jumping to .871 in 2023 and a career-high .995 in 2024.

Up — Signed for $700,000 out of the Dominican Republic as a 16-year-old in the international amateur market, Andujar needed two years to get out of the Yankees’ rookie-ball affiliate in the Gulf Coast League and finally cracked top-100 lists ahead of the 2018 season — No. 59 at Baseball America and No. 65 at MLB.com — after reaching Triple-A following a 16-homer season (.850 OPS). Andujar even made his MLB debut as a 22-year-old in 2017 and looked like he’d be a big part of the Yankees’ future after pairing 27 homers and 92 RBIs with an .855 OPS in finishing second to Shohei Ohtani in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2018. But a right shoulder labrum tear derailed Andujar in 2019 and Andujar was never able to grab a starting job again in New York. The Pirates claimed him late in 2022 and then the Athletics claimed him after the 2023 season. By then, he’d developed into a platoon player with defensive limitations. Andujar had a .697 OPS in 75 games in his first year with the Athletics and a .765 OPS in 60 games last year when, after missing time with a right oblique strain, he was shipped to the Reds for a minor league pitcher. Andujar went on to hit .359/.400/.544 with four homers and 17 RBIs in 34 games to help the Reds lock up a wild-card spot. He was 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout in the NL Wild Card Series sweep at the hands of the Dodgers.

Miguel Andujar #41 of the San Diego Padres participates in drills during spring training workouts at the Peoria Sports Complex on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Peoria, Ariz.(Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

2026 OUTLOOK

The need for right-handed balance in the lineup was painfully obvious in the Padres’ NL Wild Card Series loss to the Cubs, so Andujar became a target after 1B/OF Ryan O’Hearn walked as a free agent. Expect Andujar to get at-bats against lefties as either a DH, first base, third base or left field — the spots he’s been playing in spring training.

ROSTER RANKINGS

1. OF Fernando Tatis Jr.
2. 3B Manny Machado
3. OF Jackson Merrill
4. RHP Nick Pivetta
5. RHP Michael King
6. RHP Mason Miller
7. OF Ramón Laureano
8. SS Xander Bogaerts
9. LHP Adrián Morejón
10. RHP Jeremiah Estrada
11. RHP Jason Adam
12. 2B Jake Cronenworth
13. RHP Joe Musgrove
14. RHP Randy Vásquez
15. INF Miguel Andujar
16. OF Gavin Sheets
17. LHP JP Sears
18. RHP Yu Darvish
19. RHP Bradgley Rodriguez
20. RHP David Morgan
21. C Freddy Fermin
22. LHP Wandy Peralta
23. C Luis Campusano
24. LHP Yuki Matsui
25. INF Sung-Mun Song
26. RHP German Marquez
27. RHP Matt Waldron
28. OF Bryce Johnson
29. OF/1B Nick Castellanos
30. RHP Ron Marinaccio
31. RHP Bryan Hoeing
32. LHP Kyle Hart
33. INF Will Wagner
34. RHP Garrett Hawkins
35. RHP Miguel Mendez
36. RHP Daison Acosta
37. RHP Ty Adcock
38. RHP Alek Jacob
39. INF Mason McCoy

Removed from 40-man roster

OF Tirso Ornelas (designated for assignment)
RHP Jhony Brito (60-day injured list)

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San Diego, CA

San Diego Bishop Is Out of a Job

Published

16 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of the Chaldean Catholic bishop of San Diego, California, a decision announced Tuesday by the Vatican after the bishop was arrested on embezzlement charges. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said last week it had arrested Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta on Thursday at San Diego International Airport as he tried to leave the country, reports the AP. The office said it acted after someone from Shaleta’s church provided a statement and documentation “showing potential embezzlement from the church.” Shaleta was being held on $125,000 bail on eight counts of embezzlement, money laundering, and aggravated white collar crime, the statement said. Shaleta pleaded not guilty on Monday, reports NBC San Diego.

“He was on his way to Germany,” prosecutor Joel Madero said. “Given his access to funds, the fact that he had over $9,000 in the bag when he was stopped, and the fact that he has these international ties … I do believe that some bail to ensure he shows up is appropriate.” There was no immediate reply to an email sent to Shaleta’s parish, St. Peter Chaldean Church, seeking comment and contact information for his attorney. The Vatican said in its daily bulletin Tuesday that Leo had accepted Shaleta’s resignation under the code of canon law for eastern rite churches that allows for the pope to agree if a bishop asks to step down.

Leo actually accepted the resignation when Shaleta presented it in February, but an announcement was not made until Tuesday, according to the Vatican embassy in Washington. The Holy See appears to have waited to announce the decision to avoid interfering with the police investigation. Leo named Bishop Saad Hanna Sirop as a temporary administrator. Shaleta, 69, was ordained a priest of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Detroit in 1984. He was named to the San Diego branch of the eastern rite Catholic Church in the US in 2017.

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San Diego, CA

Padres roster review: Germán Márquez

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Padres roster review: Germán Márquez – San Diego Union-Tribune

GERMÁN MÁRQUEZ

Position(s): Right-handed pitcher
Bats / Throws: Right / Right
2026 opening day age: 31
Height / Weight: 6-foot-1 / 230 pounds
How acquired: Signed as a free agent in February 2026
Contract status: Will make $1 million in 2026 with a $750,000 buyout on a mutual option for 2027; can add up to $3.25 million in performance bonuses.
fWAR in 2025: 0.3
Key 2025 stats: 3-16, 6.70 ERA, 83 strikeouts, 48 walks, 1.71 WHIP, .317 opponent average, 126⅓ innings (26 starts)

STAT TO NOTE

36.9 — The percentage of groundballs that Márquez yielded in 2025, a career low and significantly below his career average (48%). Márquez’s groundball rate was regularly above 50% before requiring Tommy John surgery in early 2023. He made one start in 2024 and struggled mightily while making 26 starts last year.

Down — Márquez had a 4.40 ERA through his first seven years in the majors, not bad considering he pitched roughly half his games at one of the best hitting environments in the majors. In fact, Márquez has a 5.17 ERA in his career at Coors Field and a 4.22 ERA in road environments. But Márquez underwent Tommy John surgery early in 2023, made one start in the majors in mid-July in 2024 (4 IP, 3 ER) and struggled throughout his first full year back in the Rockies rotation. The season was so difficult for Márquez that he was actually worse on the road (7.32 ERA) than he was in 11 starts at Coors Field (5.98 ERA). His strikeout rate (5.9 per nine innings) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (1.73) were the worst of his careers, as was his walk rate (3.4 per nine innings), while his hit rate (12.0 per nine innings) was the second worst of his career. On top of that, Márquez’s groundball rate was also the lowest of his career (see stat to note) and ranked in the bottom 22nd percentile of the league and his hard-hit rate (48.5%) and average exit velocity (91.7 mph) both ranked in the bottom 2 percentile of the league. One reason: a 94.8 mph four-seamer is down a few ticks than the height of his effectiveness. Márquez reached free agency after the season and signed with the Padres in February.

2026 OUTLOOK

Márquez has a big-league deal with the Padres, but he’ll have to rediscover his pre-elbow-reconstruction form to hold onto a roster spot, as RHP Griffin Canning (Achilles) is expected to push for a spot at some point this season and the likes of LHP JP Sears, RHP Matt Waldron and minor league signees like Marco Gonzales could warrant looks if Márquez’s struggles continue into 2026.

German Marquez #33 of the San Diego Padres participates in drills during spring training workouts at the Peoria Sports Complex on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 in Peoria, Ariz.(Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)