The Arizona Republic's Top 25 girls flag football players to see in 2023 season
Now that the Arizona Interscholastic Association is sanctioning girls flag football with 56 schools on board in this first fall season, there are teams to rank and players to watch, before things get rolling on Aug. 29.
In the meantime, The Arizona Republic is ranking the Top 25 players to watch in this inaugural season. They’re game-breakers, defensive stoppers, and players who are naturally gifted in a game they’ve only recently picked up. The flag football coaches provided input.
The Republic’s Top 25 girls flag football players in 2023
1. Catarina Maccagnano, Chandler Hamilton, QB, Sr.
She put up video numbers in the club spring season, passing for 3,121 yards and 30 touchdowns, completing 60% of her passes to make the Huskies the preseason favorite to win the first 6A state title.
2. Mai Kalama, Mesa Eastmark, QB, Sr.
She had more than 2,000 passing yards, connecting on 65% of her passes with 27 TDs during an 11-0 regular spring season. She’s got a big arm and extends plays with her legs. She can throw the deep corner ball on the run. She will also play safety for The Republic’s Super 10 preseason No. 1-ranked team.
3. Samaya Taylor-Jenkins, Hamilton, WR, So.
As a freshman in the spring, she had 71 catches for 1,358 yards and 22 TDs. She’ll be the go-to target for Maccagnano this fall.
4. Braelyn Schiermeyer, Eastmark, WR, Sr.
She had 82 catches for 750 yards, a great possession receiver who is elusive in the open field. She’s a varsity basketball player, as well.
5. Amaya Moreno, Phoenix Mountain Pointe, QB, Fr.
She is likely to quickly get on the map, if she’s got energy left over from playing on the boys' freshman football team. Her flag coach said she is playing QB on that team, as well. But there are high expectations coming into the flag season with her ability to lead the Pride down the field.
6. Maddie Coger, Gilbert Campo Verde, WR, Jr.
Coached by her father Brian, Maddie was one of the top receivers in the state last spring. She has a great work ethic combined with reliable hands and the ability to catch the ball in traffic.
7. Briella Boubek, Phoenix Xavier Prep, WR, Sr.
Great breakaway speed and sure hands, will have a big season for the Gators.
8. Tessa Christiansen, Mesa Mountain View, WR/S, Sr.
According to her coach, she will be a force on defense, keeping opponents from getting down the field. She was instrumental in helping keep most opponents to under 14 points last spring. And she’s a game-changer on offense, catching everything.
9. Gabby Orozco, Hamilton, DB, Jr.
She intercepted eight passes last spring, an enforcer on defense, able to chase down any receiver with her speed.
10. Sophia Marquez, Mesa Red Mountain, LB/WR, Jr.
She’s the team’s leader. Great at reading plays, anticipating the quarterback’s every move, and won’t miss pulling the flag. She is coming off of an ACL injury but she’ll be ready to go both ways. Also a top softball player.
11. Alyssa Gruber, Chandler Arizona College Prep, QB/S, Jr.
Athletic, quick, and a game-changer, she can play anywhere on the field.
12. Taylor Ehmke, Eastmark, WR, Sr.
She had more than 50 catches for nearly 900 yards and 12 TD last spring, as a deep threat who can stretch the field with her speed. She’s got the ability to score every time she touches the ball. Plays on the golf team and is a track and field hurdler.
13. Jennah Grice, Goodyear Millennium, WR/LB/K, Sr.
Great athlete who impacts the team in so many ways on offense, defense and special teams.
14. Briana Saunders, Millennium, QB, Jr.
She led the team to the spring club semifinals. She also plays safety. She can dial it up from anywhere on the field.
15. Morgan Wubker, Xavier, S, Sr.
Tall and fearless, she has great range. Should be steady in the back end of the Gators' defense, holding it down.
Read more: The Republic's girls flag football Super 10 teams heading into historic AIA year
16. Cooper Hidalgo, Xavier, K/DB, So.
She is fast and has a strong, accurate leg. Attended Alex Zendejas' kicking camp and improved her skills.
17. Ilyana Flores, Gilbert Mesquite, RB/S, Sr.
There are high hopes this team will do well, mainly behind her game-changing abilities on offense and defense.
18. Sofia Larios, Gilbert Williams Field, C/K
She is only 5 feet, 1 inch, but she’s tough as nails. She’s also a perfectionist. After a series last year in which she snapped the ball four straight times over the quarterback’s head, she returned to the sideline to practice snaps, and nailed the next time out, leading to her kicking a field goal. A great competitor and athlete.
19. Ava Prater, Queen Creek Casteel, LB, Jr.
She’s a force on defense and will also make a difference on offense. May not leave the field, very skilled, fierce and tough.
20. Peyton Tanghe, Gilbert Perry, DB/WR, Sr.
She can do it all, tracks the ball well on defense and makes difficult catches on offense. She led the Pumas in touchdowns last spring. An elite athlete.
21. Victoria Jagdon, Arizona College Prep, RB/DB, Jr.
She’s a shutdown corner with great instincts and speed, led the team in interceptions last spring.
22. Gwenyth "Gwen" Scheurn, Perry, DB/WR, So.
She was the team’s top defender last spring, leading the Pumas in interceptions. She will also stand out at wide receiver and will pursue playing flag football in college.
23. Tierah Metcalf, Mountain View, QB, Fr.
She’s got a tough act to follow in Ava Finn, but she’s got the abilities to lead the Toros far in the state tournament. She’s athletic, competitive and smart with the ball. Watch for a breakout year from the freshman.
Raising the flag: Teams prepare for Arizona's first official season of girls high school football
24. Sara Pobieglo, Mountain View, OL, Sr.
She was a beast last spring at center. With the new rules on blocking, she’ll lead the O-line to protect the freshman QB. She has great hands and feet and can always pop for more than a few yards if the QB gets in trouble.
25. Leah Alcala, Mesa, QB, Jr.
The 5-8 junior is quick, fast and will elude the pass rushers, making accurate throws on the run.
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The Arizona Republic's Top 25 girls flag football players in 2023
