Palmetto flag football extends breakout season, clinches first trip to state final four
Kevin Mujica never had a doubt a day like this was possible at Miami Palmetto.
After starting up a flag football team just three years ago, the Panthers have spent 2024 enjoying first after first after first.
And on Friday evening, as Mujica was soaked in cold water after his players dumped a bucket of it on their coach, he took a moment to thank everyone that had supported their program during what’s been a relatively quick and remarkable ascent to become the top team in Miami-Dade County.
Led by Sami Anes’ two interceptions and one touchdown, the Panthers secured another milestone victory by blanking Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 18-0 in a Class 2A state quarterfinal at their home field.
Palmetto (18-1), which won its first GMAC, district and regional titles this season, will play Pensacola Pace in a 2A state semifinal next Friday at either 7 or 8:30 p.m. at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa.
“A lot of these girls play travel ball and it’s made them grow closer,” Mujica said. “These girls know football and push each other every day in practice and they make my job so much easier. Going to Tampa is going to be special. We have to embrace the experience and we’re super excited to be able to have this opportunity.”
Anes is an example of the collection of players that came together on the Panthers roster with various athletic backgrounds.
A three-sport standout who plays basketball and is headed to UCF on a soccer scholarship, Anes has helped Palmetto ascend from going 7-3 each of its first two seasons to the top seed in next week’s Class 2A state final four.
“Anes chose to play flag football to be out here and have fun,” Mujica said. “She’s going to UCF to play soccer, but she loves to play flag football and made three tremendous plays for us. We’re just loaded with girls who can make plays all over the field.”
Another is starting quarterback Ava Alvarez, who transferred from Cooper City before this season.
Alvarez played wide receiver and defense at Cooper City before she converted to play quarterback for the Panthers. This season she has thrown 47 touchdown passes and only six interceptions.
“Ava is QB1 and plays quarterback as if she’s had her whole life,” Mujica said. “She didn’t make the USA team so she has a chip on her shoulder. She loves being under pressure and has been doubted her whole life. To come here and be as good as she’s been and put this team on her shoulders has been incredible.”
Alvarez said she worked with Mujica in the offseason and her father, who played quarterback and coaches in college to get better at the position.
Her ability to adapt quickly and excel in that role has been a catalyst for one of the state’s most explosive offenses.
“It’s surreal because every year since I’ve played flag football, I’ve only made it to regionals,” Alvarez said. “To do it here and with this team that’s become my family, it’s just surreal.”
