TORRANCE -- San Pedro's defense came to play in Thursday's flag football opener against Torrance.
The Pirate defensive unit came up with four interceptions, including three in the second half, helping lead San Pedro to a 14-12 nonleague victory over Torrance at Zamperini Stadium.
"We executed more. In the first half, we weren't as locked in as we should be," San Pedro's Jazmin Watts said. "I feel like in the second half, we really got into the game. We were locked in mentally."
On Torrance's first drive of the second half, Maya Solorio intercepted Madison Schepp's pass attempt. The very next play, San Pedro coach Victor Tuberosi unveiled the creativity he's allowed with a two-quarterback system.
Jenna Ortega took the snap, handed the ball off to Madison Adrid before Adrid found Fatima Ramirez for the 6-yard touchdown and a 7-6 Pirate advantage with 10:09 to play in the third quarter.
"(The two quarterback system) makes our whole offense," Adrid said. "You really can't predict us. I think it helps open the field for us and it makes the game come to us."
Watts came up with an interception to put a halt on Torrance's ensuing drive, helping set up Ortega's touchdown pass to Dahlia Daliva for a 14-6 San Pedro lead with 7:23 left in the third.
"Having a two-quarterback system, you don't know if I'm going to go left or go right," Tuberosi said. "It's great to throw double passes. My idea is to create space and time for the quarterback."
Jayda Sanford had an interception in the first quarter and Makayla King added a fourth quarter interception.
Torrance (0-2) made things interesting as time wound down in the fourth. With 2:46 to play, Schepp found Jennah Black downfield for a 54-yard touchdown, but Schepp's pass attempt on the two-point conversion was incomplete, allowing San Pedro to run out the clock.
"We stopped them and they got three picks (in the second half)," Torrance coach Kyle Irvine said. "I'll take the loss. We made mistakes and didn't execute."
Schepp and Black connected for a 30-yard touchdown with 5:34 to play in the first half, putting Torrance up 6-0.
"(Schepp and Black bring) experience, knowledge of the game, wanting the ball in crucial situations, making the big plays and their leadership. That's what they really bring to this team," Irvine said. "They're going to make you play better because they want to win.
When asked what he saw that could be better moving forward, Irvine pinpointed blocking and inexperience.
"Whether it's a run play or a pass play, our blocking needs to get better. It was better today than against Mira Costa (Wednesday)," Irvine said. "But these are the little things that we will work on. The more they play, I can see they're getting better."
Adrid was a game-time decision after being involved in a car accident prior to Thursday's game. After watching from the sideline in the first quarter, Adrid was inserted during the second quarter. What transpired from that point changed the complexion of the game.
"Starting off our season against Torrance (with one quarterback), we were a little anxious," Watts said. "Once (Adrid) got in, it was like a relief. She got on the field, stepped up and helped us win the game."