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ORANGE — As Northwood’s girls flag football team accepted the CIF-SS Division 2 championship plaque on Saturday, a couple of players leaped with elation on the turf at El Modena High.
Sophomore Megan Liu received the trophy and quickly handed it to junior Natalie Keith.
Like they had most of the afternoon, the Timberwolves made the right move.
Keith tossed five touchdowns and had an interception near the goal line to lead Northwood to a 31-17 victory against Trabuco Hills in the inaugural Division 2 championship game.
Northwood flag football players celebrate with their trophy following their 31-17 win over Trabuco Hills in the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game between the two teams on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Northwood quarterback Natalie Keith throws the ball during a 31-17 win in the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Trabuco Hills in Orange on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Trabuco Hills wide receiver Piper Kawanaka carries the ball during the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Northwood on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Northwood wide receiver Hailey Brennan catches a pass during a 31-17 win in the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Trabuco Hills in Orange on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Trabuco Hills quarterback Elizabeth Tapper runs with the ball during the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Northwood on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Northwood running back Grace Cho carries the ball during a 31-17 win in the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Trabuco Hills in Orange on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Trabuco Hills wide receiver Emma Ortiz catches a pass for an extra point after a touchdown during the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Northwood on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Northwood flag football players celebrate their 31-17 win over Trabuco Hills in the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game between the two teams on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Trabuco Hills quarterback Elizabeth Tapper throws the ball during the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Northwood on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Northwood running back Ashley Ma carries the ball during a 31-17 win in the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Trabuco Hills in Orange on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Trabuco Hills quarterback Elizabeth Tapper throws the ball during the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Northwood on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Northwood’s Elisa Kung, right, breaks up a pass intended for Trabuco Hills wide receiver Madeline Hales during the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game between the two teams on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Trabuco Hills wide receiver Emma Ortiz catches a touchdown pass during the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Northwood on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Northwood wide receiver Elisa Kung catches the ball during a 31-17 win in the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Trabuco Hills in Orange on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Northwood quarterback Natalie Keith throws a shuffle pass during a 31-17 win in the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Trabuco Hills in Orange on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Trabuco Hills quarterback Elizabeth Tapper throws a shuffle pass while on the run during the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Northwood on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Northwood quarterback Natalie Keith throws the ball during a 31-17 win in the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Trabuco Hills in Orange on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Trabuco Hills running back Kyrielle Chappel dodges Northwood defenders while carrying the ball during the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Northwood on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Trabuco Hills quarterback Elizabeth Tapper throws the ball during the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game against Northwood on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Northwood flag football players celebrate with their trophy following their 31-17 win over Trabuco Hills in the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game between the two teams on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
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Northwood flag football players celebrate with their trophy following their 31-17 win over Trabuco Hills in the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game between the two teams on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
And if that wasn’t enough production from Keith, the quarterback and safety called offensive plays in the absence of coach Harry Lee, who missed the game due to a pre-scheduled trip.
“She is amazing,” Northwood assistant coach Michael Stewart said of Keith. “The offensive accolades stand out but halfway through the year, she came up to me and says, ‘Coach Stewart, can I please play defense?’ “
“When Natalie kind of asks for stuff, you kind of do it,” Northwood’s former football coach added with a laugh. “We said, ‘OK, you can play safety’ and it just turned our defense around.”
Northwood (19-6) allowed a combined 21 points in its final three playoff games leading up to the final.
The Timberwolves’ defense remained stout against Mustangs (17-4) as outside linebackers Rebekah Welch and Sailor Kensrue added interceptions with Keith.
Liu chipped in two sacks.
Keith’s interception at her 1-yard line with about seven minutes left in the first half helped the Timberwolves preserve a 13-9 lead at intermission. “That was huge,” Stewart said.
Keith promptly capped Northwood’s first three possessions of the second half with touchdown passes.
On the opening series, she tossed a 4-yard touchdown on fourth down to Hailey Brennan to push the Timberwolves’ lead to 19-9.
After a fourth-down stop by Northwood’s defense, Keith capitalized on excellent field position by lofting a 12-yard TD to Brennan, who beat double coverage.
Keith punctuated her performance by tossing a 7-yard touchdown to Hannah Kim off a double pass on fourth down.
In the first half, Keith tossed two TDs to senior Elise Kung, including one for 49 yards on a deep throw.
Despite her standout performance, Keith took most pride in Northwood’s historic victory.
“Just setting the program (history) and just being ready to build from there,” said Keith, who plays travel softball for the powerhouse Batbusters. “I’m super excited to keep going in the future. It feels great.”
Trabuco Hills received an early spark from speedy wide receiver Emma Ortiz. The junior capped a 65-yard play by taking the pitch on a hook and ladder and racing along the side for a touchdown.
Ortiz also caught the 1-point conversion as Trabuco Hills tied the score 7-7.
Keith responded with the 49-yard TD strike to Kung for a 13-7 advantage. The Mustangs hung tough on the conversion as Madeline Hales intercepted a pass and raced the length of the field — 80 yards — for 2 points.
Ortiz added a 1-yard TD reception late in the second half from freshman QB Ellie Tapper.
“We were grateful and humble to make it to the CIF finals,” Trabuco Hills coach Richard Metzdorff said. “We had a tremendous season and … make no mistake, we’ll be back next season.”
