The562’s coverage of girls’ flag football is sponsored by the Los Angeles Chargers.
The562’s coverage of Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family.
The Cabrillo flag football team won just one game all of last season–a one-point thriller over Lakewood. This year, the Jaguars have exploded to a 7-2 start to the season, with wins over Jordan, Norwalk, Dominguez, and Tustin, among others.
One of the biggest reasons for the turnaround is the Jags’ new coach, Earl McCullouch Jr. A successful coach at the LBUSD middle school level for more than two decades, McCullouch Jr. had never taken a varsity high school position before, but was recommended for the Jaguars’ open spot.
“I let the team know my past and that I’m a winner,” he said. “It’s time to get down to business–don’t let teams think they’re going to beat you before they even get on the field. They’ve already bought into it.”
The Jaguars are led by quarterback Cinthia Garcia, who had 16 touchdown passes in the team’s first six games.
“She’s an athlete,” said McCullouch, Jr. “She changes things.”
She’s got no shortage of options, with senior receiver Anaya Richardson, a first-team All-Moore League selection last season and one of the league’s top pass-catchers this year. Sophomore running back and safety Kamora Byther is another athlete for the Jags who looks like one of the city’s best, as she’s averaging 65 receiving yards per game as well as a team-high six tackles per game.
Stephanie Salgado, a senior, is another top two-way option for the Jaguars; other standouts will be pass-rusher LaRiyah Harris, linebacker/tight end Sophia Fabrigas, and receiver Charlez Erby.
With a breadth of experience coaching track, soccer, flag football, and basketball at the middle school level, McCullouch Jr. knows what it takes to turn a team around, and is confident his Jags can do it.
“I’m trying to shake it up, we’re going to the playoffs,” he said. “I’ve never missed out on the playoffs and these girls aren’t going to either.”
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