With the girls flag football season underway, practices are already in full swing, with warmups led by the team’s strength and conditioning coach, before moving into drills that focus on running plays and improving speed and agility. The players often break into smaller groups to sharpen specific skills, whether that’s flag pulling, route running, or communication on defense.
Coaches are optimistic about the season ahead, noting that the energy during the first week of practices has already been encouraging. “I’m excited to get to know the girls, more excited to watch them improve,” said coach Rylee Dunham. “We’re about almost done with our first week, and I’ve already seen so much growth. I think it’s going to be a great season.” Dunham, with the rest of the staff, has emphasized fundamentals, teamwork, and resilience as key themes for the season.
One of the biggest challenges the team faces this year is balancing the demanding schedule that comes with flag football now being recognized as a competitive high school sport. Last year, the team finished with a 3–11 record. While that was a tough outcome, players are using it as motivation to push harder this season, determined to turn lessons from those games into wins. Many of the players juggle long practices with schoolwork and family responsibilities, leaving them with little downtime. “It’s a lot to balance, especially with other sports too,” said junior Mia Addams. “I try to get all my work done during school as fast and as neatly as possible so I don’t fall behind.”
Addams has quickly become a name to watch, both on her team and across the region. Over the summer, she was invited by the Arizona Cardinals to showcase her talent during halftime of their game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The experience was unforgettable. “In the moment, when I was playing on the field, I just zoned everything out. I focused on the game because I was so invested and having fun,” she said, smiling at the memory.
Her ability hasn’t gone unnoticed by her coaches. “Addams is amazing,” said coach Veronica Celaya. “She has a nose for the ball, she understands the game. In one game she had something like 600 receptions. I think she was top five or top ten in the conference for safeties, and I can only see her going up from there.”
With steady leadership, emerging talent, and a demanding schedule ahead, the girls flag football team enters the season with clear focus. They aren’t just preparing to compete, but to sharpen their game, push one another, and raise the standard for what this program can achieve.
