By ALEXANDRA LAINEZ
The Tower
Manteca High student Lily Dundas poses on the front of a car and palms a football during a Media Day for flag football on Sept. 1, 2026. (GioSportsMedia).
MANTECA – Lily Dundas claps her hands for the snap before quickly pulling back to avoid the rush. She spots teammate Sari Lawson breaking away from her defender and throws the ball. After a brief moment, Lawson catches the pass and races into the end zone for the winning touchdown.
There’s a silent moment, and then ...
Lawson catches the ball and speeds into the end zone with the winning score.
Dundas is the starting quarter back at Manteca High, one of the top flag football programs in the southern half of the Sac-Joaquin Section. Dundas has thrown for more than 3,000 yards during her senior year and has lifted the Buffaloes into the postseason, but her journey to a starring role has been filled with many challenges.
“The most difficult part of my role as a quarter back is the pressure,” Dundas said. “The pressure can really get you sometimes.” Dundas continues to explain.
“Another challenging part about my role in the flag football team is remembering the plays, because sometimes they can be really complicated.” Dundas says.
Being a quarterback is more than just throwing the ball. For Dundas, it means leading her team, knowing every play and making quick decisions under pressure. Her role comes with challenges, especially when facing strong defenses that constantly pressure her.
“The pressure can get to you sometimes,” Dundas said, explaining that it can be difficult when she is not having her best game.
Throughout the season, she has become quicker at reacting to the rush and defense and getting out of the pocket. She has thrown for 3,880 yards and 52 touchdowns, completing nearly 60 percent of her passes. She’s also rushed for four touchdowns.
These results come from her offseason sessions at Hungry 4 Success, a training facility in Tracy, and sharpening her mind and body to be successful.
Manteca is 17-4 and finished second in the Valley Oak League. They will play at Lodi in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs on Oct. 28.
Dundas acknowledges how many sacrifices she had to make to reach this point. She had to learn how to balance her time between being a student and an athlete. Along the way, Dundas has juggled classes and practices, homework and other school responsibilities, and the duties of being a team captain.
Dundas' journey shows that being a quarterback is not just about making the perfect throw—it is about staying determined when the game gets difficult and continuing to grow through every challenge.
Dundas has learned that being a quarterback is more than just making the right throw. She has to stay calm, trust herself, and keep her teammates focused. Her attitude has helped her get through difficult moments and continue improving throughout the season.
“The pressure can get to you sometimes,” Dundas said. Instead of letting the pressure affect her, she has learned to stay focused and move on to the next play.
Her coach Lisa Mendez has noticed her growth, describing Dundas as “pretty levelheaded” and saying she has gotten quicker at reacting to the ball. With every practice and game, Dundas has continued to grow not only as a quarterback, but also as a leader.
Leadership has become an important part of Dundas’ role on the team. As quarterback, she is responsible for leading the offense, knowing the plays and communicating with her teammates.
Mendez describes her as someone who “knows the game” and “makes good decisions,” which helps her teammates trust her on the field.
Even when other teams put pressure on her, Dundas stays committed to her team and continues working to improve. Her coach said Dundas' dedication has made a big difference, explaining that the team “could never be successful without her.”
Through her positive attitude, hard work, and ability to stay calm, Dundas has shown that being a leader is not just about having the ball in your hands. It is about setting a good example and helping the whole team succeed.