Eric Sorenson
Last week we focused on the boys, this week “Zone Read” takes a deeper dive into Arizona high school girls flag football, a sport that has gained both traction, and popularity, with the numbers of teams expanding significantly since its in-state inception just two years ago.
The season has reached the halfway point with several programs ramping up for what they hope is a deep post-season run. Here are a few teams, and players, which have caught our attention this fall.
Hamilton: Premiere in the Premiere (and state)
Much like the boys, the girl Huskies are off to a perfect start and have been just as dominant.
Following Tuesday’s 48-0 thrashing of Desert Ridge, Hamilton improved to 5-0 behind a high-powered offense and stifling defense. The defending 6A State Champions opened the season with a 35-3 win over Gilbert which jump-started this run of impressive victories.
Head coach Matt Stone’s squad is loaded with playmakers, starting with 5’9 dual-threat sophomore quarterback Marlie Phillips who has been simply unstoppable. Through the first four games she’s tallied just under 1,200 total yards and 23 combined touchdowns. She’s deadly accurate, has a big arm and is a fantastic decision maker.
Trying to hold off showing stuff till y’all watch the first episode but here is a taste of what Hamilton QB Marlie Phillips can do on a run and gun to WR Samaya Taylor-Jenkins. Big time players. pic.twitter.com/S0rVem9Ma9
— Patrick Breen 🌵 (@pjbreenphoto) September 26, 2025
Phillips has been able to spread the wealth between three talented wide receivers. Her top target has been junior Markiah Riley who already has double-digit touchdowns and over 30 catches. Senior Samaya Taylor-Jenkins had seven touchdowns and close to 300 yards entering this week’s game. Freshman Athena Vasquez is third on the team in receptions, and has two touchdowns.
Your play of the night from Hamilton’s big win over Desert Ridge, 48-0. This one is from QB Marlie Phillips to breakout star wide receiver Markiah Riley. @HHSGirlsFlag @HHS_Athletics_1 pic.twitter.com/8fD5U8Sw4M
— Patrick Breen 🌵 (@pjbreenphoto) October 8, 2025
To say Hamilton’s defense has been dominant would be an understatement. The Huskies haven’t allowed more than seven points in a game this season, including Tuesday’s shutout. Junior Demi Woods leads the team in tackles and sacks. Taylor-Jenkins has two interceptions.
Power in the Pines
If Hamilton’s defense is dominant, not sure the best way to describe Prescott’s unit.
The 6-0 Badgers haven’t allowed a point this season heading into their Fiesta Bowl Cooper State Invitational showdown with the before mentioned Huskies at ASU Thursday afternoon.
— BadgerAthletics (@PTownAthletics) September 18, 2025
The well-traveled Badgers opened the year in the Valley with a 19-0 victory at St. Mary’s. A week later they won at Monument Valley 67-0. Their most recent victory was a 40-0 thumping of Dysart at home.
The balanced offense is paced by senior quarterback Rianna Aguilar who is a threat through the air (773 yards, eight touchdowns), as well as on the ground (273 yards, eight touchdowns). Her top targets are fellow seniors Maggie Maneely and Aubrey Kitahata. The two have combined for seven touchdowns and over 500 receiving yards.
Now, about that defense.
Three games and this defense held our opponents scoreless. Proud of these girls! pic.twitter.com/Gq07LNklBT
— Margaret.Maneely.athlete (@ManeelySoccer) September 23, 2025
The Badgers have 23 interceptions. Yes, 23. Maneely has eight, junior safety Brinkley Larson has five. Sophomore Lucy Zembik leads PHS with 30 tackles.
The 4A Grand Canyon Region is loaded with excellent teams besides Prescott, most notably Mingus Union (8-2), Flagstaff (7-1), Lee Williams (5-0) and Coconino (4-1).
Watch for Gators
Add Xavier to the list of unbeatens.
XCP, who went 5-7 in 2024, knocked off Perry 17-7 Tuesday to improve to 6-0. The common theme in this column of suffocating defenses continues with the Gators. Matthew Reum’s squad hasn’t allowed more than seven points in any game, including shutouts of Mesa, Westwood and St. Mary’s by a combined score of 169-0.
Offensively, Xavier likes to throw it around the yard. Senior quarterback Ana Matuz is already closing in on 1,000 passing and has tossed 21 touchdowns, against just four interceptions. Her featured receivers are senior Imani Campbell (29 receptions, 385 yards, nine touchdowns), and freshman Evie Maas (18/296/seven).
Isa Ady has spent most of the first six games in the opponent’s backfield. The senior has 18 sacks and five quarterback hurries. Sophomore Ava Gage has a team-high 10 hurries, along with three sacks.
Much like Prescott, the back half of the Gators’ defense has forced takeaways by the bunches. Four players have at least three interceptions, paced by Ava Portillo’s five.
Seven of Xavier’s remaining eight games come against teams with winning records, including Prescott at ASU this weekend.
