Chargers Fall 8–7 in Triple OT Thriller to Saddleback College in Bobcat Bowl Final

MISSION VIEJO - Cypress College Women's Flag Football went unbeaten through pool play at the Bobcat Bowl all afternoon on Friday, earning a spot in the inaugural championship game before dropping an 8-7 triple-overtime heartbreaker to host Saddleback College in women's flag football action at the Saddleback Stadium Complex.

The Chargers opened the tournament by avenging an early-season loss to Golden West College, grinding out a 13-7 victory in their second meeting of the year. Golden West had taken the season opener 19-6 at home, but Cypress answered in the rematch behind a steadier defensive effort and timely scoring, flipping the script to move to 1-0 on the day.

Cypress then followed with another 13-7 win, this time over Ventura College, to remain in control of its path to the final. The Chargers' defense again limited big plays and protected a one-score margin, keeping Ventura off the board in key late possessions. With back-to-back 13-7 decisions, Cypress established a pattern of balanced offense and disciplined defense that would carry into the afternoon.

In their third contest, the Chargers posted their highest offensive output of the tournament, defeating MiraCosta College 27-14. Cypress found its rhythm in space, extending drives and capitalizing on red-zone chances to pull away by two scores. The win capped a perfect run through pool play, sending the Chargers into the championship game unbeaten and setting up a showdown with Saddleback for the Bobcat Bowl title.

The final lived up to its billing. Cypress struck first against Saddleback, taking a 6-0 lead into halftime on a 7-yard touchdown run by Cabral, who broke through the defense to put the Chargers on top. The extra-point try was unsuccessful, but Cypress carried the momentum and the six-point advantage into the break as the defense kept the Bobcats off the scoreboard through the opening half.

Saddleback answered after halftime, tying the game late in regulation on a 1-yard scoring pass to force overtime with the score knotted at 6-6. From there, the championship was decided by alternating conversion attempts. In the first overtime, both teams converted, with Cabral punching in Cypress's try and the Bobcats responding through the air to make it 7-7. The defenses controlled the second overtime as both sides came up empty, sending the game to a third extra frame with the title still undecided.

Cypress came up short on its third-overtime conversion, giving Saddleback an opening. The Bobcats capitalized with a successful pass to the end zone for the game-winning conversion, edging the Chargers 8-7 in triple overtime. Despite the narrow loss, Cypress finished the day with a runner-up showing and an unbeaten record in regulation play, highlighted by three straight wins over Golden West, Ventura and MiraCosta to reach the Bobcat Bowl final.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in the program's history, with the Chargers proudly participating in the first-ever community college tournament in California. The final showdown featured teams from the Orange Empire Conference, adding further excitement to the competition.

UP NEXT: The Chargers comeback to host Golden West College on Thursday, February 26 at 3:30pm.

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