CEDAR CITY, Utah (June 17, 2025) - An impressive first half buoyed Las Vegas's Southern Range to a 13-6 victory over the Mesquite Dawgs in the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games Girls Flag Football Tournament, presented by the Las Vegas Raiders. The June 17 finale capped off two days of Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum action and also offered one of the first chances to use the National Federation of State High School Associations' new rules governing flag football.
Southern Range's success with this new set of rules locks them in as the first flag football champions in USG history.
Facing off against a lockdown Mesquite Dawgs defense that allowed only one score through the entirety of pool play, Southern Range pieced together a dominant attack that kept them in possession of both the lead and the ball. This matchup avenged an earlier loss in which the Dawgs secured their 2-0 win on a snap misfire by Southern Range.
Post-Game Press Conference with Jaylani Palmer and Coach Matt Nighswonger
Game Recap
First Half
Mesquite's Hailey Tolentino began the first half with a solid 15-yard run, but the Southern Range defense promptly forced a punt on the following set of downs. A strong return by Demi Crocker put Southern Range near midfield for their first drive.
On their second play, Jaylani Palmer turned on the jets with a thrilling 43-yard trip from the backfield to the endzone. The score pushed Southern Range to a 6-0 lead with the momentum in their favor.
The Dawgs established their next drive with slow yet steady ball movement, but eventually found themselves behind the sticks. After Mesquite's Davie Slack connected with Linita Kioa to set up a promising fourth-and-one situation, a deflection by Palmer ended the Dawgs' attempt to add points to the board.
The turnover on downs offered Southern Range a prime opportunity to double-dip before halftime, and the team took advantage. Palmer logged another long run — this time for 26 yards — as time ticked down. With under 20 seconds in the half, Chloe Covington slung it to the left side of the endzone for Palmer, who reeled in her second touchdown of the half. Presley Walker carried it up the gut on the extra-point attempt, extending the Southern Range lead to 13 at the half.
Second Half
On the opening play of the second half, Mesquite's Brinley Cunningham burst into the Southern Range backfield, setting back the opposing offense with a sack. However, successful back-to-back gains allowed Southern Range to maintain possession in the makings of a long drive. Spanning nearly the full second half, the drive fell short, ending with an interception by the Dawgs' Denise Silveyra.
The pick from Silveyra led to a 31-yard catch-and-run touchdown from Slack to Kioa to make it 13-6. Time expired before Mesquite could continue their comeback efforts, granting Southern Range the championship win.
Up Next
Teams and individuals interested in registering for any of the remaining events on the 2025 schedule can sign up at utahsummergames.org.
