Dos Pueblos High School’s flag football team is among the best teams in the state, and heading into the playoffs, the girls are ready to take on any contenders. On Tuesday, the Chargers defeated Rio Mesa High School 48-6 in the final game of the regular season, but it was what happened after the game that showed just what kind of team Dos Pueblos is.
As the two teams met at the 50-yard line after the final whistle, it looked as if there might be a situation bubbling up. The Rio Mesa players said something to the Dos Pueblos girls; the girls on the Dos Pueblos team crowded around and said something back.
It was a sight that has become far too familiar in high school sports in recent years. This year alone, at least two high school football games in California ended with bench-clearing brawls, and at the Dos Pueblos-Rio Mesa game, coaches feared the same might be brewing. Dos Pueblos Head Coach Doug Caines said he thought he might have to step in between the two teams.
Then suddenly, one girl made a move. A dance move. The girls broke out in screams and cheers, and another girl jumped in the center and responded. She did the worm. Soon it was a full-out dance battle, with the Rio Mesa and Dos Pueblos players going move for move for a couple of minutes before it was finally settled. The Chargers won on the field, but Rio Mesa had the advantage in the dance battle.
Coach Caines said it was one of the most surprising endings to a game he’d ever seen. Dos Pueblos media teacher John Dent, who was nearby filming the scene, said it was an “amazing show of sportsmanship” to watch the two teams — who had just played a hard-fought football game — still find a way to have fun together after the game.
It was another sign that the Dos Pueblos flag football program is fostering not only one of the most talented teams on the field, but also developing a set of values in the players that will extend well after their athletic careers are over. Dos Pueblos flag football, which boasts an 18-3 record this year, will find out its playoff ranking this weekend.
