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Ranking the Top 20 players to watch in girls flag football this season in Orange County:
TOP 20 PLAYERS TO WATCH
1. Makena Cook, Orange Lutheran, QB/P, Jr.
The reigning O.C. player of the year showed in the Lancers’ season opener that she has recovered from a broken leg in February. She is committed to Georgia for soccer.
2. Madi Lam, Santa Margarita, QB/DB, Sr.
The first-team All-County selection passed for more than 4,600 yards and 70 TDs in her debut with the Eagles last fall.
3. Natalie Keith, Northwood, QB/S, Sr.
Keith, who is committed to Arizona for softball, is the reigning CIF-SS Division 2 player of the year.
4. Emma Ortiz, Trabuco Hills, WR/DB, Sr.
The speedy Ortiz helped the Mustangs finish as the Division 2 runner-up last season by recording 157 receptions for 2,006 yards and 32 TDs.
5. Roxie Shaia, Huntington Beach, QB, Jr.
A second-team All-County selection last season, Shaia threw for almost 7,500 yards and 99 TDs.
6. Josie Anderson, Orange Lutheran, WR/CB, Jr.
The first-team All-County selection is the Lancers’ leading returning receiver with 119 receptions for 1,379 yards and 14 TDs.
7. Cooper Dick, Newport Harbor, WR/S, Sr.
Dick, who is committed to Texas Tech as a soccer goalie, made first-team All-County in ’24 and claimed MVP at the El Toro tournament.
8. Taylor Savage, Huntington Beach, WR/S, Sr.
Savage hauled in 107 catches for 1,491 yards and 15 TDs last season en route to making first-team All-County.
9. Ella Feldhaus, Canyon, QB, Sr.
A second-team All-County pick last season, Feldhaus proved herself by leading the Comanches to the Division 1 semifinals in 2024.
10. Ellie Frazier, Esperanza, QB/DB, Sr.
Esperanza coach Jimmy Valverde considers Frazier one of the best wide receivers in the county but she leads the Aztecs by playing quarterback.
11. Julia Oberholtzer, Orange Lutheran, LB/WR, Sr.
The first-team All-County linebacker in ’24 led the Lancers in flag pulls, grabbed eight interceptions, and still caught 20 TDs.
12. Sophia Davies, El Toro, WR/DB, Jr.
Davies remains a major offensive threat after catching 33 TDs last season, and has added cornerback to her duties this fall.
13. Kendra Hansen, Mater Dei, QB, So.
Hansen, an All-CIF forward in soccer, possesses the speed and running skills to capitalize on the new rules that allow quarterbacks unlimited runs.
14. Skylie Cid, Newport Harbor, RB/R, So.
Cid is a breakout candidate after flashing her quickness as a freshman.
15. Ally Schmida, Crean Lutheran, WR/S, Jr.
Schmida is a top target for new quarterback Hayli McIlroy but also a ballhawk on defense.
16. Kai Beary, JSerra, WR/LB, Jr.
Beary, a soccer goalie committed to Texas, is a well-rounded athlete who has been playing with the U.S. women’s junior handball team at the Junior Pan American Games.
17. Giselle Nacelli, San Clemente, WR, So.
A standout in soccer, Nacelli had eight catches for 105 yards and two TDs in the Tritons’ opener after earning all-league and all-CIF honors last season.
18. Kailey Tilson, Cypress, WR/QB/S, So.
Coach Danny Kruger says Tilson — co-MVP of the Crestview League in ’24 — “does it all” for the Centurions, who remain a team to watch in the challenging league.
19. Ava Van Heerde, JSerra, QB, So.
The Lions have employed multiple quarterbacks this fall but Van Heerde — a third baseman in softball — is off to a fast start after passing for 61 TDs as a freshman.
20T. Happy Dubois, Orange Lutheran, WR/DB, Fr.
The 15-and-under U.S. national team player is a two-way threat who knows how to high-point receptions.
20T. Tessa Russell, JSerra, WR/DB, Fr.
One of three JSerra freshmen on the 15-and-under U.S. national team, Russell is a two-way playmaker with strong instincts and moves. She forms a freshman trio with wide receiver Ava Irwin and QB Katherine Meier.
Note: Sonora senior Liana Hwang (knee), a member of the 17-and-under U.S. national team, is out this season because of a knee injury, Raiders coach Paul Chiotti said. Hwang made first-team All-County last season.
