Flag football preview: As the sport continues to grow, Palmetto set to defend title

Get ready for more flag football state champs.

Palmetto is the only Miami team ever to win a state title in flag football as the Panthers took the Class 2A crown in 2024.

Three Broward schools have won state – Fort Lauderdale in the first year of competition (2003); Miramar in 2006; and Western in 2022.

But starting this year, Florida will double its flag-football classes to four.

Palmetto, now in 4A, has a solid shot to repeat as state champs. But 4A will also include Ruskin Lennard, the team Palmetto beat, 26-25 in last year’s 2A final. Tampa Alonso, which has won three state titles since 2018, is also in 4A.

As for the Panthers, they return four key players, and all of them are seniors: Ava Alvarez; Serenity Simon; Ashley Alvarado; and Camai Moore.

Alvarez, Palmetto’s quarterback, showed her toughness last year when she suffered a dislocated pinky finger in the state semifinals.

“She missed three or four plays and went right back in,” Palmetto coach Kevin Mujica said. “Then, in the state final, she made several throws of over 40 yards.”

Alvarez last year completed 59.7 percent of her passes for 2,656 yards, 49 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. She also ran for a team-high 610 yards and 10 TDs.

Simon scored the winning TD in the state final, diving into the end zone with just four seconds left in the game.

“She caught a lateral,” Mujica said, “and she made two defenders miss. It was great because we were out of timeouts.”

Alvarado, who also plays basketball, had a big interception in the state final.

Moore, one of the fastest players in Miami, will have an expanded role on offense this year, according to Mujica.

In addition, the Panthers have added two impact transfers: Daniela Canals from Coral Reef and Francesca Lara from True North. Both players are also on Palmetto’s wrestling team.

Mujica said Canals is one of the top rushers in Miami.

“She’s feisty, agile and elusive,” Mujica said.

Lara is a fast and physical wide receiver/cornerback.

Mujica, who started the Panthers’ flag program in 2021, is thrilled with how the sport is growing.

The expansion to four classes is just one example.

“Girls can now receive scholarships to play flag football in college,” Mujica said. “And flag football will be featured for men and women at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.”

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▪ Southridge is expected to be a contender to win state in Class 3A.

Last year, the Spartans went 15-3, advancing to the regional finals before losing 13-0 to Palmetto.

Senior quarterback Mary Quinones returns after passing for 2,863 yards and 47 TDs.

Junior Zaria Evans returns after catching a team-high 12 TD passes. And sophomore Zariah Evans had 24 sacks last year, finishing top-five in the state. She also intercepted three passes.

Coach Julio Iglesias said the key for the Spartans in 2025 will be their defense, which graduated five starters.

▪ Homestead figures to also be a major contender in Class 3A as the Broncos return 12 starters from last year’s regional finalist team. Senior quarterback Jerniyah Fowles, who threw for 3,349 yards and 49 touchdowns last year, highlights the group along with senior wide receiver/linebacker Kelis Durham, senior wide receiver/defensive back Caitylyn Gibson and junior running back/rusher Zakeira Cobb.

▪ Western went 17-1 last season, losing to Aquinas, 21-14, in the regional semifinals.

This year, Western is in Class 4A, and the Wildcats – despite having graduated 10 seniors – are fast, tall and athletic.

Junior quarterback AnaBella Puccio returns after passing for 1,049 yards and 19 TDs. Junior Ryan Stoker returns after catching 47 passes, and the team’s top-two players are seniors Maddison Manragh and Tearra Mortimer.

▪ Braddock (6-7 last season) is led by two senior wide receiver/defensive backs: Sabrina Schlegelmich and Isabella Corrons-Tapia. Junior quarterback Anna Rubiera passed for 1,700 yards and 14 TDs.

▪ Monsignor Pace (8-5 last season) is led by a trio of juniors - quarterback/safety Imani Davis Jr., running back/rusher Kanieya Drayton and wide receiver/cornerback Aleaijah Russell.

▪ True North (11-7 last season) lost seven starters, but returns a young group, which will be led by sophomore wide receiver/safety Alexa Dominguez and freshman quarterback/rusher Lola Perez.

▪ Ferguson (11-5 last season) is led by senior quarterback Arianna Madsen and senior center/wide receiver/defensive back Kaysie Hart.