Aliso’s Flag Football team has made history over the past three years in the up-and-coming sport. They are set to play in the first round of the 2025 CIF Playoffs on Oct. 21 against Warren High School.
Aliso is one of the 32 flag football teams in the Division II Playoffs and are currently 5-3 in League, with 270 schools in the CIF Southern Section of California. The future looks very promising for Aliso, and as their program continues to grow, they have no plans to stop in their third year.
Despite the challenges Aliso faced in League, they are going into playoffs with their overall record of 12-12, sadly losing the South League Championship for the first time in the last two years.
Throughout the season, Aliso Niguel Flag Football has shown steady improvement, both in communication and confidence. Practices have been intense but filled with laughter, as players push each other to get better every day. That mindset helped the Wolverines secure one of their most exciting wins of the season.
Sloan Lorenzo’s (12) favorite win of the season was “beating San Juan to secure our spot in the playoffs. Our energy was so great and you could tell the whole team wanted their seniors’ seasons to continue into the postseason.”
The team’s chemistry has become one of its greatest strengths, from celebrating touchdowns to lifting each other up after tough plays. Their unity has played a major role in turning close games into defining wins.
Not every game came easy, but each challenge brought lessons. The team recalled a tough matchup against Trabuco Hills, which tested their composure and mental strength.
Lorenzo shares the toughest games they played this year was “probably our game against Trabuco at their fields. The refs missed a couple of huge calls such as a touchdown being called out of bounds, but when reviewed on film was clearly in. Multiple things that took our momentum away.”
Paige Russell (10) has been a standout force for the Wolverines, leading the offense with an impressive 5,000 passing yards in her high school career. Her strong arm and sharp field vision have helped carry the team to key victories. Off the field, Russell has her own way of preparing for success.
Russell says, “I like to listen to music and eat a good meal before a game.”
Her calm, focused approach reflects the discipline and drive that define Aliso Niguel’s roster. Despite the obstacles, the Wolverines remained focused and used the experience as motivation.
Lorenzo says, “We learned from it and we will be better for next time. We cannot control the refs, but we can control how we react to those calls.”
As the Wolverines move into the playoffs, their bond and determination continues to shine. Whether celebrating wins or learning from losses, Aliso Niguel’s flag football team plays with heart, grit and pride. Their unity has been the key to transforming close matchups into memorable victories.
