CEDAR CITY, Utah (June 16, 2026) - The Screaming Trees earned gold-medal recognition in a commanding 25-0 victory over the Aces, capping off the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games Girls Flag Football Tournament, presented by the Las Vegas Raiders. Prior to the Eccles Coliseum championship showdown, both teams had compiled an undefeated record through six games, setting up for a clash of titans.

The event's diverse competition included six out-of-state teams who traveled to Southern Utah University campus for a chance at medaling. In addition to five squads from Nevada and a group from Arizona, two local Utah teams took part in the heated showdown series.

Representing Las Vegas, the Screaming Trees found success in more than just the championship game. They remained undefeated through pool play, then plowed through the bracket on their gold medal warpath. Through the entirety of the tournament, the lockdown Trees defense allowed only six points.

While the Aces fell short of gold, their dominant undefeated performance through the rest of their games propelled them to silver. Meanwhile, the AZ Stars secured bronze in a thrilling 19-18 battle that went to five overtimes.

Post-Game Press Conference



Game Recap

First Half

The Aces opened the game with first possession, but the Screaming Trees' blanketing defense forced a quick three-and-out with a third-down sack.

Taking over offensively, Trees' Karah Foss started to work her team down the field with a balanced passing and rushing attack. After a roughing the passer penalty moved the Screaming Trees to the redzone, Foss capitalized on the opportunity. She inched her team towards the endzone and powered home a fourth-down run up the gut for six.

Needing a score to tie the game, the Aces returned to offense and nearly completed a huge deep shot. However, the Trees' Alayna Untalasco-Heath came up big on defense, breaking up the pass and ending the Aces drive.

The Screaming Trees offense returned to the field in search of a two-score cushion before the halftime break. On the opening set of downs, Alayna Untalasco-Heath sliced the top off the defense with startling speed, and Foss found her wide open downfield for a deep touchdown. The breathtaking score boosted the Trees to a 12-0 halftime advantage.

Second Half

With the ball back in their hands to start the second period of play, the Screaming Trees pieced together a long drive led by Foss. As the Trees neared the endzone, Foss zipped it to Rykiel Untalasco-Heath to set up a fourth-and-short situation.

Screaming Trees' Danielle Morales rose to the occasion with a chance to put the game out of reach, sliding a run straight through the middle for her team's third touchdown of the day. Not only did the drive end in an 18-0 lead for the Trees, but it also ate up a significant portion of the second-half clock.

Although the game appeared out of hand, the Aces remained determined to put a score on the board. On a desperate fourth-down gamble inside their own redzone, the Aces caved to the Screaming Trees' suffocating pressure and failed to complete a pass.

Starting with great field position, Foss completed passes to Camryn Carvell and Elyce Phillinganes to create another fourth-and-short goalline situation. Foss rolled out left to try for her second rushing touchdown of the game, but shoveled the ball to Morales at the last second for a final score. On their game-closing extra-point attempt, Foss found Carvell to cement a 25-0 gold medal championship for the Screaming Trees.

Up Next

Teams and individuals interested in registering for any of the remaining events on the 2026 schedule can sign up at utahsummergames.org.

Photos by Shania Hopkins: