Girl power: Bella Rasmussen makes California history with two-touchdown game

Laguna Beach coach John Shanahan: "She takes a beating, never whines, never gets hurt. She’s a really tough kid.”

Before Friday night, seven girls in California varsity high school football history had scored a touchdown.

Laguna Beach running back/defensive end Bella Rasmussen became the eighth with a touchdown run in the second quarter.

Then she became the first girl in state history to score two touchdowns in a game with another TD run before halftime.

History made. Bella Rasmussen of Laguna Beach becomes first female to score two touchdowns in state history in a game. pic.twitter.com/KZFSUKN98g

— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) October 15, 2022

The 5-foot-9 Rasmussen is no stranger to football, as this is the senior's fourth year in the Laguna Beach program after playing another four years of youth football.

“She’s a football player, she really is,” coach John Shanahan told the Los Angeles Times. “Any time we want someone to run against the first defense, she steps in. She takes a beating, never whines, never gets hurt. She’s a really tough kid.”

Her touchdown runs of 1 and 4 yards Friday night helped the Breakers beat Santa Ana Godinez 48-0, improving to 5-3 on the season.

Girls playing football is nothing new across the country, but Rasmussen put herself in the California record books Friday.

(File photo by Ken Nowaczyk)