Football

The Catholic Youth Organization flag football championship took place on Nov. 23 at La Ca√±ada St. Francis High School. Foothill Conference Champion and No. 1 seeded St. Rita (Sierra Madre) entered their second consecutive championship, taking on the Southbay Conference Champions and No. 2 seeded American Martyrs (Manhattan Beach). 

American Martyrs came out strong, playing great defense and running their offense well. However, St. Rita’s squad pulled it together, and put themselves in good position for a comeback by halftime with a score of 42-16. 

St. Rita came out, looking for some crucial stops on defense, and American Martyrs were looking to put more points on the board. American Martyrs came out of halftime, scoring a crucial touchdown on the first possession of the half. Another score late in the third quarter sealed the deal for the Martyrs, as they won the game, 56-24. 

“The CYO championships today was a really fun event. The fan support from both schools was very strong and a testament to the impact these playoffs have on our Catholic community and our student athletes,” CYO director James McGoldrick said. “The players gave it their all and showed great sportsmanship in playing like champions.”

Volleyball

The CYO Girls Volleyball championship match was a meeting of two great teams, with the stage set at St. Mary’s Academy (Inglewood) on Nov. 9. No. 1 seed and defending CYO champions Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Pasadena) looked to grab their second title in a row. The last team standing in their way was the No. 2 seed, American Martyrs (Manhattan Beach). In the regular season series between the two teams, they both won a game. This match was set to be electric.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary took a quick lead, and held on to take the first set in a commanding fashion. The Martyrs, eyes on the trophy, fought hard in the second set. 

The Martyrs grabbed an early lead, but Assumption clawed their way back to tie the game. The second set went back and forth, featuring many lead changes. But the defending champs proved why they were the defending champions, and held off the Martyrs to win the set and the championship.