LOCAL FOOTBALL TEAM--NOT THEM--RETURNS TO SAN DIEGO

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By Nick Pellegrino for East County Magazine

Photo:  Dejanae Harvey

April 21, 2017 (Santee) -- When it comes to football and family fun, why root for a team which hasn't reached a championship game in nearly a quarter century, when there's a championship right here in our own backyard here in East County?

Announcing the return of the San Diego Surge, a women's program, which captured the Women's Football Alliance national championship in 2012 and has reached the Alliance Bowl title game three times this decade.

Unlike the self-exiled football team with a lightning bolt on their helmet, the Surge hopes to continue an amazing streak after taking a year off, returning to the home field this Saturday.

In five previous seasons, the Surge has yet to lose a regular season home game. The string of victories will be tested this Saturday, when San Diego entertains the Sin City Trojans (of Las Vegas) at Santee Community Stadium at Santana High School. Kickoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.

"The game will be full of family fun and really good football," said Christina Carrillo, co-owner and starting center of the Surge. "These women are serious and really play the game well, with strength and intensity."

When the Surge were first created, many area coaches were of the opinion that the quality of play would be poor. However, after the staff at Grossmont College attended several early games, the word passed down the coaching carousal that the Surge play quality football.

Today, several Santana coaches are now assisting, learning from a veteran staff.

"Our core group of coaches have been together since 2002," added Carrillo. "In fact, they've been around since the San Diego Sunflowers (the forerunners to the Surge).

In fact, women's football in San Diego started in the late 1970s when the San Diego Lobos played at Mesa College. Now they can play in the National Football League stadiums, winning the '12 title at the Steelers' Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

"We have so many veterans coming back," added Carrillo. "One of the reasons we took a year off was because of our team's age. But now most are back, along with a ton of talented rookies."

While in hiatus, some played in the other women's football league with the North County Stars. Most  of those players, including former El Capitan High standout Jessica Cable, have returned.

"People will not be surprised when we play the game just as hard as men," said Cable, a former WFA All-America tackle, who has moved to guard to protect veteran quarterback Michelle Gallegos.

Among the rookies is Dejanae Harvey, who once led Granite Hills High to the CIF San Diego Section girls basketball crown in 2012-13.

This Saturday's game is the first of four consecutive at home before the playoffs. Tickets are $10, while children under 10 gaining free admission.

 


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