Gilbert flag football assistant coach Brian Winstead relayed a message to the team before its game against Corona del Sol. He told them the game was a chance to make a statement and show the rest of the state who they are.
The team took in his message and delivered. Gilbert defeated No. 5 Tempe Corona del Sol 27-7 on Thursday, Sept. 24, behind a dominant defensive effort, with six interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns. While it’s early, with still more than half the season left, the win is pivotal for Gilbert, which is eyeing a deeper postseason run.
Corona del Sol (4-1) was No. 5 in The Arizona Republic’s latest rankings. Gilbert (2-1) was just outside the Top 10 at No. 13.
“I know it’s a big win,” Gilbert coach JD Guerrero said.
“But we have high expectations for our team. We expect to come out, compete and win every time we come out.”
Gilbert has made the playoffs the last two seasons, losing in the first round both times. This season, Guerrero took over as head coach, with Winstead focusing on offense.
“It shows other teams that we are not someone to mess around with,” junior defensive back Jaylin Guerrero said. “We are someone you should be worried about.”
Guerrero was key in the game, recording two interceptions. Both of those interceptions led to scoring drives, with the Tigers walking away with 10 points. She got the game started with an interception on the very first play.
Two plays later, Gilbert senior quarterback Lilah Barton found Guerrero in the end zone for a five-yard touchdown to go up 7-0. Guerrero’s second interception came right before halftime, which led to a 25-yard field goal from junior Allison Bogle.
The play of the game came in the third quarter when Gilbert freshman safety Brooklyn Travis perfectly read a pass from Corona junior quarterback Kaia Brigham and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown to go up 20-0 with 7:20 left in the third. The Corona offense was driving and starting to gain momentum when Travis came up with the play.
Play of the game.
— Logan Stanley (@RLSscribe) September 25, 2026
S Brooklyn Travis with the pick-six INT. About 73 yards. She’s a freshman.
Gilbert 17, Corona del Sol 0 | 7:20, 3Q.@azc_preps pic.twitter.com/Xep43E2dTz
Travis will likely become a household name in the Valley for basketball. As a 13-year-old, she was playing 16-and-under basketball and is considered to be a Division I prospect.
“As soon as she came to try out for the team, she just had unteachable skills,” JD Guerrero said. “Like, ‘Oh man. She’s a natural at this game.’ Just teaching her the game, showing her how to hustle. It’s a different type of hustle than it is in basketball. You translate a lot of those (skills) — boxing out, catching the ball, attacking the ball. She does a great job.”
Gilbert senior linebacker Janeah Huynh had the other pick-six interception, returning the ball 40 yards to effectively put the game away 27-0 with 10:35 left to play.
For Corona del Sol, it’s a tough loss after starting 4-0 and outscoring opponents 148-0.
The Aztecs are deploying a platoon at quarterback to start the season while waiting for promising sophomore quarterback Victoria Beakes to become eligible after her transfer from Chandler Basha. Three players — junior Sofia Villone (a wide receiver/safety), freshman Aca Hallback and Brigham — rotated at quarterback during the game.
Beakes will be eligible Oct. 1 against Phoenix Camelback.
“With Vic coming in, that gives us a quarterback that has taken ownership of it at a varsity level,” Corona del Sol coach Joel Griffin said. “She releases the ball quick. The team rallies around her. We’re definitely a different team when she comes in. That’s what we’re looking forward to. We’re just trying to get there.”
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at logan.stanley@usatodayco.com or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @RLSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gilbert flag football delivers statement win over Corona del Sol
