Participation in flag football is on the rise and so is our coverage of the sport. We are pleased to unveil our first-ever flag football state MaxPreps Players of the Year.
Our selections include states that are currently sanctioning the sport. These include NFHS-member associations in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New York and Tennessee.
Among the 12 states that sanction girls flag football, seven offer the sport in the fall (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia and Illinois), four play in the spring (Florida, Hawaii, New York and Tennessee) and one competes in the winter (Nevada).
Expect the number to grow with pilot programs in place in Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia.
Alabama – Gerritt Griggs, Sr., Central (Phenix City)The quarterback for the top-ranked team in the country this fall helped the Red Devils finish 19-0 and win the 6A/7A state title. The Alabama softball signee and three-sport star was nearly perfect on the gridiron. She finished with 3,284 passing yards, 82 touchdown passes and 13 rushing touchdowns. Griggs attempted 315 passes and threw only three interceptions. She will go down as one of the top athletes in the country this school year.
Alaska – Jade Skipps, So., North PoleThe sophomore athlete did it all for the Patriots. She led the team in rushing with 2,110 yards, including 17 rushing touchdowns. Skipps also led the team in total tackles with 63. North Pole became the first Alaska flag football state champion, defeating Service 27-6. Skipps rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown and also caught a 17-yard TD pass in the title game.
Arizona – Samaya Taylor-Jenkins, Jr., Hamilton (Chandler)The junior wide receiver had another monster year for the Huskies. Her stats are eye-popping – 156 receptions, 2,138 receiving yards and 39 touchdown catches, averaging over 13 yards per reception. On defense, Taylor-Jenkins finished with nine interceptions. Hamilton survived the only close game of its undefeated season, defeating Red Mountain 21-17 to capture its first sanctioned state championship.
California – Makena Cook, So., Orange LutheranThe quarterback for one of the top teams in the country led her squad to the Southern Section Division 1 title. Cook attempted 800 passes this fall, completing 589 for 6,611 yards. She was just shy of 100 touchdown passes. Cook, who is also an elite soccer player, was named a captain for the USA Junior National Flag Football Team.
The signal caller guided the Golden Eagles to an undefeated season and the state's first-ever 5A state championship. A three-sport athlete, she played quarterback for the first time in her life and threw for 4,435 yards and 82 touchdowns with a 70 percent completion rate. She was also a weapon on the ground, rushing for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Florida – Gabby Werr, Jr., Alonso (Tampa)
Led Alonso to a state title at quarterback, throwing for over 4,700 yards and 71 touchdowns. In the 4A title game, Werr threw for 244 yards and three TDs leading the Ravens to a 21-20 overtime victory over Wellington and their fourth championship.
Georgia – Chelsea Njoku, Sr., McEachern (Powder Springs)After three straight quarterfinal exits, the quarterback helped McEachern cap an undefeated season with its first state championship. Njoku had a remarkable 2024 season, throwing for over 4,700 yards and 77 touchdowns. She also rushed for 12 TDs.
Hawaii – Shaleah Moore, So., Campbell (Ewa Beach)
Dominant force on the defensive side of the ball for the Sabers, who claimed the inaugural HHSAA flag football state championship. Moore was named Most Outstanding Player of the state tournament after piling up 13 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. The Campbell defense held opponents scoreless in the semifinals and championship game.
Illinois – Lily Mayer, Jr., Fremd (Palatine)Already a two-sport athlete, the junior decided to play flag football for the first time and quarterbacked the Vikings on an incredible run to a state championship. Fremd overcame 154 schools competing in the state series to win the inaugural IHSA title. Mayer was clutch all season but she shined brightest when it mattered most, throwing four touchdown passes in a 24-12 state title win over Rockford Guilford.
The twin sisters were instrumental in helping the Panthers capture the school's first flag football state championship. The duo combined for 66 touchdowns, scoring 33 each. Alexis finished the winter season with 1,066 receiving yards and 30 TD catches while Samantha rushed for 1,960 yards and 22 touchdowns. Both were also defensive standouts, each recording 12 interceptions.
New York – Spring sport
The tentative start date is in April with state championship play concluding June 8.
Tennessee – Caroline Merville, Jr., Ravenwood (Brentwood)
Helped the Raptors bring home the first TSSAA Girls Flag Football State Invitational title. In the championship game, Merville threw and ran for 188 yards while accounting for three touchdowns.
