The San Diego Section playoff tournament for girls flag football kicks off Nov. 12 in four divisions. There are 48 total slots (12 teams per division). League champions automatically qualify. Playoffs will consist of four knockout rounds (first round, quarterfinals, semifinals, finals).
Section championship games are scheduled Nov. 23 at a site to be determined: Division IV (11 a.m.), Division III (12:30 p.m.), Division II (2 p.m.) and Division I (3:30 p.m.).
The playoff field has greatly expanded from two divisions last year.
A look around East County reveals that the fledgling Grossmont Conference’s four teams are in a competitive chase for the inaugural league championship.
The Grossmont Lady Foothillers (9-4 overall) lead the league standings at 3-1 while the Granite Hills Lady Eagles (5-6) are right behind with a 3-2 league record.
The Steele Canyon Lady Cougars (7-7) are 2-3 in league, followed by the Santana Lady Sultans (7-5-1) at 1-3.
The league champion is an automatic playoff qualifier.
Grossmont defeated Granite Hills, 25-6, on Oct. 14 as junior Marisa Farace passed for 204 yards and three touchdowns, including two scores to junior Gabi Thomas (four catches, 84 yards) and another TD to senior C.J. Wenck (four catches, 25 yards).
Farace has passed for 1,691 yards and 22 touchdowns in 11 games and 3,872 yards and 55 touchdowns in 27 career games. Farace passed for 175 yards and four scores in a 32-13 win over Santana on Oct. 7.
Thomas (38 catches, 486 yards) leads Grossmont receivers with nine touchdowns while senior Jaelyn Jensen (21 catches, 375 yards) has seven TD receptions.
