Bakersfield Christian Edges Redwood in Double Overtime

Bakersfield Christian beat Redwood 38-37 in double overtime in the Central Section Division I girls' flag football final.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football

Bakersfield Christian Edges Redwood in Double Overtime

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Bakersfield Christian defeated Redwood 38-37 in double overtime in the Central Section Division I girls' flag football championship game at Mineral King Bowl in Visalia. Redwood overcame four first-half interceptions and a 13-0 deficit, trailing 19-6 at halftime before outscoring its opponent 19-6 in the second half.

Why it matters

The loss ended Redwood's first season playing girls flag football, a campaign that finished 20-2 and reached the section final. The double-overtime finish after a late tie shows how close the division's top programs remain in a sport still in its early seasons.

The 38-37 final was decided in double overtime after Bakersfield Christian denied Redwood's extra-point try. Redwood entered the game 20-2 on the season, while Bakersfield Christian finished 25-2.

The players

Bakersfield Christian

Bakersfield Christian is a private school in Bakersfield, California, whose girls flag football team won the Central Section Division I championship.

Redwood

Redwood is a high school in the Central California area whose girls flag football team completed its first season with a 20-2 record.

The details

Miranda Jimenez tied the game with 1:48 left in regulation by returning a punt, plucking a lateral from Analizah Balderas at the Bakersfield Christian 23-yard line. Redwood's Emma Crisp accounted for five touchdowns in the game, and on first-and-goal at the Redwood 10 a fade to Tia Nichols was ruled incomplete but Redwood was flagged for pass interference.

August: Redwood beat Madera South 80-0 in its flag football debut.
Sept. 3: Redwood lost 24-19 to Bakersfield Christian.
Nov. 5: Bakersfield Christian beat Redwood 38-37 in double overtime in the section final.

Season Trajectory

Redwood's first season in girls flag football ended in a section final as the sport continues to expand in California high schools. The 20-2 record places a debut program among the competitive teams in its division.

Redwood's 20-2 finish sets a high bar for its next season in the program's second year. Fans following local high school sports can track the section's girls flag football standings as teams prepare for next fall.

The takeaway

Girls flag football programs can reach the section final in their first year, as Redwood did this season. Following a team's early results across a full schedule shows how quickly new programs can compete.