MORENO VALLEY — The Canyon Springs girls flag football team looked every part the Sunbelt League champion after a 60-yard touchdown drive started. But with the chance at a playoff berth on the line in a must-win game, Moreno Valley walked into the belly of the beast and emerged victorious. The Vikings (11-5 overall, 3-2 in league) overcame an early deficit in a 21-13 win against Canyon Springs to keep their playoff hopes alive with one league game remaining. “Like I told my girls, we can play with the best of them,” said Moreno Valley coach Jonathan Norton. “That was a huge win for us. We needed that to get in the playoffs. First year being playoffs, it’s our chance to show the world who we are.” Canyon Springs (16-6, 5-1) drove seemingly unencumbered to start the game as junior quarterback Corinne Kalogonis completed 6 of 9 pass attempts for 58 yards and found junior center Juliessa Garcia in the end zone for a 2-yard TD. After punts by both teams on the next two drives, Moreno Valley stood 60 yards away from the end zone. Wide receiver Simone Kirby got there in one play. Dashing through the middle of the field, the senior couldn’t be stopped on the long score to narrow the Cougars’ lead to 1 with over 13 minutes left in the half. Yet following early touchdowns from both teams, neither was able to get on the board again in the first half, in part due to three combined interceptions from the two squads. “They did a good job of starting to adjust,” said Canyon Springs coach Roberto Maestas. “They brought up their safeties and so we tried to start penetrating to the outside, and just our long ball wasn’t working tonight. It usually is, it just wasn’t there.” The Vikings took the lead on their opening drive of the second half, reaching the goal line behind a 29-yard completion from quarterback Jennavieve Covington to wide receiver Amera Collins – who also had two interceptions – before punching it in. Moreno Valley scored once more by way of a two-play, 60-yard possession to take a commanding 19-7 lead. And even when Canyon Springs collected a second touchdown, the Vikings still got two points by intercepting the conversion for two points. Related Articles High School Sports | Santiago girls golf team beats Roosevelt, takes control in Big VIII League High School Sports | Inland girls athlete of the week: Samantha Durant, Arlington High School Sports | Inland boys athlete of the week: Koa Regalado, Colton High School Sports | Inland girls golf notes: Another strong year for the freshman class High School Sports | Tiny Ontario Christian remains among the Southern Section’s elites in girls volleyball Collins and junior Olivia Toki each finished the day with two interceptions, a defensive effort that kept the Vikings’ playoff hopes alive. “My heart, I was stressing, lowkey, before this game. I was praying. I was like ‘please let us win,’” Toki said. “But this one was a great win.” Despite losing, Maestas and Canyon Springs have already clinched a playoff spot, and are looking ahead to the inaugural CIF Southern Section flag football playoffs. “They (Moreno Valley) were hungry. They had to win in order to stay in. That’s what a hungry team does,” Maestas said. “We have to get hungry now, because we’re getting into the playoffs. It’s win or go home.”