In the inaugural WIAA state flag football tournament, Todd Beamer High School has the opportunity to win a state title on its home turf.

“A lot of these girls are in their third year. They have been working hard for three seasons. We have been pretty successful and have stayed with the course. They have worked hard and done what they needed to do and now they are finding success,” head coach Jay Cardwell said.

The Titans will have to win their first two games of the state tournament to reach Federal Way Memorial Field. The field was named the host back on Nov. 25 for the girls flag football finals, which consist of the semifinal and championship round games. But the Titans have made it to the dance and will have to defeat the No. 2 seeded Roosevelt Rough Riders and either Seattle Prep or Oak Harbor in the quarterfinals.

This season, the Titans made their way to the postseason with a 8-3 record, good enough for a second place finish in the 3A NPSL behind White River.

Against league rival Kentlake in the first consolation round, the Titans took care of business and punched their ticket to state as the first Federal Way city school to make the year-end tournament.

“We worked through it and had our ups and downs and have done really good. Now that we are going to state, it means a lot for all of us. This has something we have been wanting (to accomplish),” senior Annette Segale said. “We are not only representing Todd Beamer, but we are representing Federal Way.”

The Titans were given the No. 5 seed in the west central district tournament and took on River Ridge in the opening round. The Titans won their first round matchup 35-14, setting up a date with the No. 4 seed, Silas High School.

Annette Segale gives the thumbs up as she prepares to take the snap against Kentlake. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Against the Rams, the Titan offense scuffled and couldn’t find the endzone as Silas defeated Todd Beamer, 37-0. The 37-point margin is the worst loss the Titans have suffered this season, but a win against Kentlake on the following day meant the Titans would head to the state tournament.

“You have to lose to learn. It really got us more hyped and wanted to win more,” Segale said.

Midway through the first half, Todd Beamer shook off those woes from the night before as Segale found Kiana Smiley for the game’s first score. Kentlake went down and scored to tie the game at halftime, 7-7.

Segale is in her second year as a starting quarterback and has worked to improve her passing ability.

“She’s got command of the huddle and the girls respect her. She’s athletic and can really throw the ball and that has been the biggest improvement in her game. The results show,” Cardwell said.

The second half was all Todd Beamer as they would go on to score the game’s next 21 points.

The Titans took the lead on a toss sweep to Darlene Kuedituka, who used her speed to scoot around the edge of the Kentlake defense. Her speed is her best weapon and it was on full display as she started to find a rhythm in the second half.

“She’s as impactful on defense as she is on offense. The teams we play know she is out there, so we have to pick our spots with her. She’s always running hard and does a great job,” Cardwell said.

But the Titan defense was the story in that second half, forcing three turnovers with a pair of interceptions to go along with a fumble.

The next two touchdowns were scored by Keiliah Royal, once on offense and once on defense. Segale found Royal in the back of the endzone with some impressive footwork to take a 21-7 lead. Kentlake was driving down the field on their next possession before Royal intercepted the pass and ran the ball all the way back to the endzone for the Titans’ final score of the game.

Todd Beamer defenders break up pass from Kentlake. Ben Ray / The Mirror

“It motivates me when I see them playing defense. They are dedicated to stopping the plays so we can get the ball back and play our game,” Segale said.

Todd Beamer was given the No. 15 seed in the state tournament and takes on the No. 2 seeded Roosevelt on Feb. 7. Time and location are TBD.