With a score of 28-6, Silver Creek High School, led by head coach Aaron Noriega, beat the Westmont Warriors on October 11th, 2019.
Ariel Orona (#12) helped lead the Silver Creek Raiders to victory through what many believe is a history making play. Ariel, is a senior and a wide receiver for the school's varsity football team. On Friday night Ariel threw a 23-yard touchdown pass, which is believed to be the first touchdown pass made by a female student-athlete in California.
After throwing for countless hours this season with her quarterback, Ariel felt confident and was ready to execute the play during a game. "I knew I was ready for it, but I just didn't know what game it would happen at," says Ariel. When describing how she felt in the moment, she said "throwing the pass felt natural."
Ever since she was little, Ariel has always been interested in football and followed her heart by joining a flag football team at a young age. Playing tackle football was something that never crossed Ariel's mind. As she got older and advanced over the years, a few boys from the football team encouraged her to give it a try. After playing two years on the junior varsity football team, Ariel did not play her junior year in fear of being too little to play at the varsity level. After working hard to get stronger and her past teammates encouraging her to get back on the field, Ariel returned this season for her Senior year.
Ariel is known to be a dedicated athlete who will do anything she can to better her team. "She is a natural leader," says Coach Noriega. "Ariel is not only inspiring to other female athletes, but to many people throughout our community."
Although Ariel might have already made history with her 23-yard touchdown pass, her goals don't stop here. She dreams of being a physical trainer one day so she can give back to sports, something that has given her so much.
"This team is family," says Ariel. "They're the ones who encouraged me to try tackle football and they're the ones who encourage me every day on and off the field, they've got my back."
As the school of this week's recipient of the 49ers PREP High School Player of the Week Award presented by U.S. Bank, Silver Creek High School will receive a $500 grant towards its football program. As part of this award, Ariel will receive two tickets to a 49ers home game where she will be recognized on the field during the pre-game ceremony. At the end of the season, Ariel will be presented with her award by 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan during a closed practice at the SAP Performance Facility.
Congratulations, Ariel!
