To be the best, one must beat the best.
Aptos might not be there quite just yet as their 2-4 overall record indicates.
However, third-year head coach Denise Russo believes they are right where they need to be at this point of the young 2025 fall campaign.
“We just want to get better,” she said. “We take every one of those losses, which have been by one score, and we learn from them, and then we execute in our next game.”
It’s exactly what Mariner senior Ella Porter and the rest of her teammates did Wednesday night following a 33-13 victory over Harbor in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League action.
With the win, Aptos improved to 2-0 in SCCAL play and remained on track as one the top contenders in the league.
“I’m really proud of my team and how they came back, they never gave up,” Porter said. “We just gotta keep each other in high hopes. I’m very proud of them for just keeping their head up full time.”
Aptos was coming off a 19-12 loss to Santa Clara in non-league play Tuesday night. They were also on a three-game skid that included a 19-12 loss to King City and a 13-12 loss to Watsonville.
“I’m very thankful for Denise because she prepares us with these non-league games,” Porter said. “Even though they’re a lot harder, they prepare us for these [SCCAL] games.”
This year’s squad has some other familiar faces such as junior Ellie Marta, who starts on both sides of the ball. She had to exit out of Wednesday’s game with an injury but is expected to return soon.
The roster also features new names in senior Alejandra Garcia, who is competing in prep flag football for the first time ever.
And the young core is led by sophomore Julia Parello, a two-way starter, and freshmen Ella Jacobs and Ellia Correia, who also play on both sides of the ball.
“We’re seeing those younger players step in and take that role,” Russo said. “I hate to mention any [one] name, it works because my whole squad works.”
One thing the Mariners continue to work on is adjusting to the new rules implemented by the California Interscholastic Federation.
Some of the more notable rule changes is that defensive linemen are allowed to immediately rush the quarterback and can line up one yard from the line of scrimmage.
In return, the quarterback can now run at will without being rushed by a defensive player. They can also run with the ball anywhere within the field unlike last year, where quarterbacks were allowed to run on certain down and distance situations.
“If I get in that position where the rush is on me and I have nowhere to go, I’m thankful that we are able to run,” said Porter, who uses her legs to pick up first downs and score touchdowns. “I try to throw the ball, because that’s my main goal, getting the ball to my players. But again, if [running’s] my last choice, then I will take that.”
Another big adaptation is that teams can now punt the ball away and return the kick rather than just give up the ball on downs.
“I used to be the coach that knew the rules, and now it’s like, ‘Wait, which rule is it?’” Russo said. “So, just trying to catch up to all the changes has been a process.”
Russo added it didn’t help that teams didn’t receive the new rule changes until the end of July instead of a previously promised date in May.
“The summer was kind of a wash, we didn’t get to practice any of that,” Russo said.
The SCCAL introduced girls’ flag football as an officially sanctioned sport just two years ago. Yet, the feisty competition between each school remains the same as it does with the older sports programs.
Aptos is squaring off against familiar foes in Harbor, San Lorenzo Valley, Santa Cruz, Soquel and Scotts Valley, which makes each contest that much more intense.
Last year’s regular season SCCAL title was split three ways between Aptos, Scotts Valley and Soquel. Scotts Valley won the end-of-the season tournament, which they are not doing again this year.
However, Russo did mention the league has been making sure that each program works on sportsmanship, both off and off the field.
“It is fun having teams that you get to know and you know key players,” Russo said.
Russo said some of those key players such as Porter, Marta and sophomore Mary-Anne McCarthy attend the Reggie Stephens Foundation Sunday Sessions for flag football training.
McCarthy had one receiving TD and converted an extra point try in Wednesday’s win.
“I’ve taken [McCarthy] under my wing,” Porter said. “She’s a really, really important part of the team. She brings so much energy, and is one of the key factors.”
McCarthy along with her comrades will need to sustain that high energy a lot longer now with the introduction of Central Coast Section playoffs.
Russo knows the postseason will be in the back of all of their minds, but it’s not what’s currently driving her. She said the real focus is much more than just the game.
“We’re here to be a team, make high school memories and be as successful as we can be,” she said.
Next up, Aptos (2-4, 2-0) plays Soquel in SCCAL play at Harbor High School on Sept. 24 at 6pm.
Correction: An earlier version of this story said Scotts Valley was the defending Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League champion, which is incorrect. The league title was split three ways between Aptos, Scotts Valley and Soquel.
