Vikings go 1-2 in flag football tournament

Vallecitos Elementary School participated in a flag football tournament at Hamilton High School in Anza Jan. 18, and the Vikings won one of their three games.

"We turned out to be more competitive than I thought," said Vallecitos coach Ray Hanbeck. "Usually football is not one of our stronger sports."

Six points were awarded for a touchdown, and although there was no kicking for extra points, a team could choose between a one-point conversion attempt from the 3-yard line or a two-point conversion attempt from the 12-yard line. A team could only pass for a one-point conversion but could either run or pass for a two-point conversion. An interception was worth two points as well as possession of the ball.

The Vikings began the tournament with a 16-0 loss to Hamilton Elementary School.

"We weren't able to create any points, but we were able to hold them to two touchdowns," Hanbeck said.

Hamilton's boys won the tournament championship while outscoring their opponents by a cumulative 52-4 margin.

Cottonwood Elementary School (Aguanga), which took third place in the tournament, defeated Vallecitos in a 16-8 contest. "It was a close game," said Hanbeck.

Vallecitos scored on a touchdown pass from Christian Posey to Manny Arciga.

A consolation game pitted Vallecitos against Pauma and the Vikings ended the game on the desired end of the 32-0 final score. "We pretty much dominated," Hanbeck said.

Posey threw a touchdown pass to Arciga, and on a reverse, Arciga threw to Posey for a touchdown. Ivan Franco threw two touchdown passes to Arciga.

Seven small elementary schools in southern Riverside County and northern San Diego County participate in tournaments throughout the year with each school hosting a different sport. The participating schools will next compete