Beaumont defensive back Sophia Riopedre #31 crashes into Santiago wide receiver Kayden Quinlan #1 as she breaks up a pass in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago wide receiver Jianna Simien #13 makes the leaping catch over Beaumont safety Koryn Rudell #15 in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Beaumont wide receiver Lilly Nunez #30 makes the catch as Santiago defensive back Ashlynn Steele #5 defends in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Beaumont wide receiver Brianna Hypolite #23 is stopped by Santiago linebacker Allison Jo Banks #22 after the catch in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Beaumont wide receiver Capris Capote #32 runs between Santiago16 and Santiago linebacker Sadie Law #26 after the catch for a touch down in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago quarterback Priscilla Hernandez #4 avoids Beaumont defensive back Sophia Riopedre #31 on a run in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago defensive back Kianne Rubalcava #24 celebrates her touchdown run with teammates against Santiago in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Beaumont wide receiver Gemma Jordan #5, celebrates her touchdown catch with Beaumont wide receiver Lilly Nunez #30 against Santiago in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Beaumont wide receiver Capris Capote #32 breaks up a pass intended for Santiago quarterback Sophie Castro #15 in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago safety Izabel Capilla #16 and Santiago wide receiver Courtney Rumsey #2 break up a pass intended for Beaumont wide receiver Capris Capote #32 in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago safety Izabel Capilla #16 crashes into Beaumont wide receiver Gemma Jordan #5 after intercepting a pass in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago defensive back Kianne Rubalcava #24 runs for her second touchdown of the game against Beaumont in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Beaumont wide receiver Capris Capote #32 is unable to make the leaping catch in the end zone against Santiago in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Beaumont wide receiver Brianna Hypolite #23 is unable to make the catch as Santiago defensive back Ashlynn Steele #5 tries to intercept the ball in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago wide receiver Kayden Quinlan #1 is stopped by Beaumont’s Gemma Jordan #5, left, and Capris Capote #32 after the catch in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago defensive back Ashlynn Steele #5 breaks up a pass intended for Beaumont wide receiver Gemma Jordan #5 in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago running back Sydnie Noggle #00 pulse the flag of Beaumont linebacker Miley Haines #14 after the catch in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Beaumont wide receiver Gemma Jordan #5 makes the wide open touchdown catch against Santiago in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago safety Izabel Capilla #16 tries to pull the flags of Beaumont wide receiver Brianna Hypolite #23 after the catch in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Beaumont running back Kaylani Jeter #8, left, celebrates her sick of Santiago quarterback Priscilla Hernandez #4 with Beaumont linebacker Sophia Barron #22 in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago safety Izabel Capilla #16 intercepts a pass as Beaumont wide receiver Brianna Hypolite #23 grabs her hair and not her flag in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Beaumont linebacker Shelby Keels #4 intercepts a Santiago pass in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Beaumont players mob Beaumont linebacker Shelby Keels #4 after her interception against Santiago in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago wide receiver Courtney Rumsey #2 reacts after the 32-20 loss to Beaumont in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls flag football playoff game in Beaumont on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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BEAUMONT – The Beaumont football program got the proverbial monkey off its back Tuesday evening.
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Tessa Martinez passed for 329 yards and four touchdowns and added another score on the ground as the Cougars pulled away for a 32-20 home win over Santiago in a CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoff opener that pitted a pair of league champions.
It was the first postseason win in the program’s history. Beaumont was bounced in the first round of the 2024 and 2025 playoffs.
The Cougars will travel to El Toro for a second-round game Saturday at a time to be determined.
“It feels good because we were so close two years ago,” Cougars coach Frank Kingsley said. “It’s about these girls. They work extremely hard and deserve it. I think they were nervous and played that way at times. But they found a way to win in the end.”
Beaumont, the Citrus Belt League champion, jumped out to a 13-0 in the opening half. Martinez completed 7 of 8 passes on the Cougars’ second drive of the game, including a 10-yard touchdown to Gemma Jordan on fourth down to get the scoring started. Martinez connected with Capris Capote for a 40-yard score that extended Beaumont’s lead to 13-0 with 7:52 left in the first half.
Santiago, the Big VIII League champion, saw its first drives end on downs. The third time indeed was the charm for the Sharks, as Priscilla Hernandez spotted Kianne Rubalcava wide open downfield, and Rubalcava raced away for the 39-yard touchdown.
On the ensuing drive, Izabel Capilla recorded the first of her two interceptions during the game. Santiago (10-6) cashed that in about 3 minutes later, as Rubalcava caught a pass and eluded defenders for a 14-yard touchdown that knotted things up at 13.
Beaumont (15-6) looked for a go-ahead score just before halftime, but Capilla ended those hopes with her second interception.
“The girls showed a ton of heart tonight,” Sharks coach Mike Boggio said. “It wasn’t a great start for us, but they battled back.”
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Beaumont’s defense forced a three-and-out to start the second half, and the Cougars made the most of a short field. Martinez completed passes of 11 and 20 yards to start the drive, and her 5-yard scoring run helped Beaumont regain the lead at 20-13.
Hernandez tossed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jianna Simien to help Santiago draw level at 20 with 5:59 in the third period.
Santiago’s excitement was short-lived, however. On the very next play from scrimmage, Martinez completed a 45-yard pass to Lilly Nunez, putting Beaumont in the red zone. That duo connected again for a 1-yard score to give the Cougars a 26-20 lead.
Beaumont tacked on an insurance score in fourth quarter. The execution on the flea-flicker was not the prettiest (near fumble), but the Cougars got the desired result as Martinez found Jordan in the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown with 4:07 left to play.
“I really trust my receivers, which helps me throw the ball downfield like I do,” said Martinez, who completed 29 of 45 attempts.
Santiago’s hope for a late comeback were dashed moments later, as Shelby Keels intercepted a pass to seal Beaumont’s win.
“I just looked at the QB’s eyes and that got me to the right spot,” Keels said. “It feels great to make a big play to help my team.”
Capote caught 10 passes for 129 yards for Beaumont, while Nunez finished the evening with seven receptions for 100 yards.
Hernandez threw for 219 yards and added 41 yards on the ground for Santiago. Rubalcava tallied 112 yards from scrimmage.
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This story was originally published October 21, 2026 at 1:57 AM.
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