Corona del Mar Captures First CIF Flag Football Title Against Westlake, Score 26-14 (2025)

Orange – Fred Kelly Stadium (EMHS)

The Corona del Mar Sea Kings completed their remarkable playoff run Saturday night at Fred Kelly Stadium, capturing their first-ever CIF Southern Section girls flag football championship with a 26–14 victory over Westlake.

It was a storybook finish for one of the youngest teams in the Southern Section. Despite entering the postseason as the fourth-place finisher out of the powerhouse Sunset League, Corona del Mar (18–14) showed grit, poise, and unity on its way to the Division 2 title — a run that included wins over Agoura, Lindfield Christian, Ventura, and Newbury Park before Saturday’s triumph.

At the center of CdM’s championship performance was sophomore quarterback Addison Stern, who accounted for all four of the Sea Kings’ touchdowns. Stern threw for 147 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 60 yards and three more scores, using her speed and field vision to consistently frustrate Westlake’s defense.

“It was super scary at first,” Stern said of taking over at quarterback midway through the season. “But I’ve grown a lot from it. Rushing is my favorite part of football — it’s what I enjoy most.”

Stern, a multi-sport athlete who also plays lacrosse and soccer, didn’t just lead on offense — she anchored CdM’s defense as well, recording three sacks and several crucial flag pulls. Sophomore AnnaSofia Dickens added steady pressure on the edge, while freshman Brynn Boyle contributed multiple stops to help contain the Warriors’ explosive passing game.

After an opening drive that came up just short of the end zone, Stern gave CdM an early 7–0 lead with a 3-yard touchdown run. Westlake responded with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Annabel O’Keefe to Kate Janowicz, tying the game 7–7.

From there, the Sea Kings took control. Stern’s 2-yard scoring run and 1-yard touchdown pass to junior captain Brooke Morris helped CdM take a 20–7 lead into halftime. Morris also made a major defensive impact, recording a diving interception and breaking up a key fourth-down pass to halt another Westlake drive.

In the second half, CdM extended its lead on its opening possession. A 50-yard catch and run by Shannon Parrott set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Stern, giving the Sea Kings a comfortable advantage. Westlake managed one final score on a 32-yard touchdown pass to Olivia Elsokary in the fourth quarter, but CdM’s defense held strong the rest of the way.

When the final whistle blew, the Sea Kings celebrated the culmination of a season built on resilience and belief. Coach Theo Rokos handed out Ring Pops to commemorate the victory — a fitting, sweet reward for a team that was once counted out.

“We have a list of ‘B rules,’ and our number one is ‘Believe,’” Rokos said. “People wrote us off, but we knew if we could just get that four-spot in league, we’d be dangerous.”

For CdM, the CIF title was more than just a trophy — it was validation of the team’s relentless effort and unity. “We put in so much work,” Dickens said. “Being sophomore captains and leading a fresh team to a championship is crazy. All of our work just paid off.”