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Orestimba High flag football beats Golden Valley, 41-6, remains undefeated
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Orestimba High receiver Natalie Corella, right, catches a pass against Golden Valley safety Leila Saefong in the third quarter of the Warriors’ 41-6 win against the Cougars at the school’s junior varsity baseball field on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. Corella finished with a career-high four touchdowns. - photo by Navtej Hundal

With less than 3 weeks until the start of its Trans-Valley League slate, Orestimba High flag football continues its dominant start to the season with a 41-6 win against Golden Valley last Thursday.

The Warriors remain undefeated at 8-0 overall while the Cougars are now 6-5 overall.

With many route runners to help move down the field, Orestimba quarterback Salece Machado turned to receiver Natalie Corella, who caught a career-high four touchdowns. Whether she was guarded heavily or running a route, there was not anyone on the Golden Valley defense who could stop Corella.

Head coach John Labno praised the senior’s concentration “to be able to stay and focus on that ball and get it in her hands.”

In a five-play opening drive, Machado threw a 30-yard TD pass to receiver Imelda Beltran for an early 6-0 lead. Orestimba scored again in another five-play drive after Machado scrambled and found Corella, who leaped to catch the quarterback’s pass for the second TD of the first quarter. The Warriors led 13-0 following the extra point.

After forcing the Cougars on turnover downs in their territory, the Warriors got within Golden Valley’s goal line. Machado found Corella in the endzone for her third TD of the first half. After the extra point conversion, Orestimba led 20-0 going into the second half.

The second half was more or less the same as the Warriors kept their dominance on both sides. Machado threw a 45-yard pass, which was initially tipped by a Cougars defender but pivoted towards the hands of Corella for a TD in the team’s opening play of the half. Orestimba led 27-0 after the extra point conversion. The play summarized Corella’s performance as she caught the ball no matter the circumstance.

Corella later caught for her fourth and final TD of the afternoon, increasing Orestimba’s lead to 34 at the end of the third quarter. Golden Valley scored a TD in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough to suffice the deficit.

With three games left in the Warriors’ non-league slate, Labno said playing a great team, like Merced High (9-0), can help them for their TVL opponents.

“We know that we’re going to find tough teams in the TVL, and we want to be ready for that,” Labno said. “The whole idea is to be ready when it’s time to step into TVL play.”

Orestimba will travel to Madera High (2-5) on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. kickoff.