Eric Sorenson
As girls flag football continues to grow here in Arizona, so does the exposure for some of the state’s best up and coming athletes.
Well, the word has already gotten out about Highland High’s Lacie Nemchick.
The talented junior picked up right where she left off last season, shredding opposing defenses for a Hawks’ team that advanced to the 6A state semi-finals in 2025. At the time this story posted, through two games, she has completed 39-56 for 500 yards and eight touchdowns, against zero interceptions. She has also tallied 75 rushing yards and three scores.
Highland scores again to make the lead large.
‘27 QB Lacie Nemchick hits ‘29 ATH Ela Witcher on the quick slant for a 19-yard TD.
Highland 41
Campo Verde 169:14 left in Q4 pic.twitter.com/Y2jQC17hqi
— BJ Media (@BJMedia1) September 16, 2026
“Zone Read” recently had a chance to catch up with the multi-sport star, and outstanding student (she holds a 4.5 GPA), to learn more about what makes her tick, both in sports, as well as in the classroom and around campus.
Leaders Lead
It was apparent when she started playing football at age 10, with all boys, she had a passion for the game.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/Xxvog4YOEc
— Lacie Nemchick (@lacienemchick09) June 22, 2026
“I love, especially at the quarterback position, the leadership role you have to have,” Nemchick explained. “It’s something I really take with pride and I love being a leader to the younger girls, especially with the sport growing so fast.”
2025 was a year of acclimation for Nemchick, who transferred into her neighborhood school last July, after attending Casteel as a freshmen. Instead of trying to become the instant new “star” on campus, she simply focused on blending in, eventually earning the trust of new teammates through her hard work and dedication to her new program.
“I know she was nervous at the beginning,” said Highland head coach Kenny Golladay. “The players here were extremely reception to her being here. We’re excited to have her.
Back at it 🏈 @usaflagfootball @NFLFLAG pic.twitter.com/Mn9F3rhm7b
— Lacie Nemchick (@lacienemchick09) November 2, 2025
“There’s a lot of leadership that’s needed from her because she is well respected. The players have a high respect her and that comes with a lot of power. When you’re in that position, the girls are going to listen to her. They’re willing to listen to any direction that she has.”
The buy in from her Highland teams was apparent the day she entered the program.
“She’s a role model and she’ll lead by example but she’ll also direct you and tell you what you should, or shouldn’t, be doing,” junior wide receiver and defensive back Ella Mutters noted. “She’s sort of a mix of both type of leaders.”
One additional key aspect of Nemchick’s makeup is, besides her high ceiling talent and ability to lead, she’s also extremely coachable which allows Golladay and his staff the ability to hold the entire team, including the star quarterback, accountable in practice and in games.
“When I ask for an adjustment to be made, she just does it, and she understands it,” Golladay continued. “She gets it.”
Arizona’s First
On June 19th Nemchick made history, becoming the first girls flag player to earn a Power 4 football offer.
Excited and humbled to announce my first Division 1 Power 4 offer from University of Nebraska in the Big 10. Thank you @KatieSowers @lizsowers3 pic.twitter.com/dznx7AHfOe
— Lacie Nemchick (@lacienemchick09) June 22, 2026
Three months later, the moment remains as surreal as that mid-June Zoom call.
“It was so cool.” Nemchick said flashing a bright smile. “It was on the first day they could contact me.
“It means a lot. It lets me know a lot of my hard work is paying off, especially…here at Highland. So, knowing that hard work and my training is paying off is something I’m very excited for and it gives me a future to continue to play the game and not just have stop as soon as high school is over.”
Golladay believes the offer will have a lasting impact on his program for years to come.
“It’s huge,” he noted. “It makes girls want to come to Highland because she’s here. It’s great for the program as a whole.”
Despite making history, the junior signal-caller remains focused on the bigger picture at Highland.
“[The offer] was super exciting. It’s something I’ll continue to work towards. It’s not done yet.”
Inate Traits
Nemchick is a special talent, with a drive to succeed and high sports IQ to match.
Simply put, it all creates the perfect storm for the two-sport star who averaged over 10 points, three rebounds and two assists as a sophomore with the Hawks.
Basketball Highlights 2025-2026 🏀
Championship game here we come 🎉 pic.twitter.com/NBH1gwbzku— Lacie Nemchick (@lacienemchick09) March 6, 2026
Nemchick’s footwork on the hard wood has also helped on the football field, particularly with throwing off platform with accuracy when time is of the essence.
“It’s something I work on a lot with my quarterback coach,” she noted. In girls flag, you have one or two seconds in the pocket, and then you have to get out. You don’t have much time. You have to be really good about throwing on the run.
“Continuing to work on it every day, whether that be at practice or at my house, has helped.”
Her teammates see it every day.
“Admiring her work and her craft is so amazing,” Mutters explained. “Her skill and motivation is something we all see.
Nemchick’s drive for greatness, whether in the classroom or athletics, never wavers.
“She’s a very studious athlete, said Golladay. “She’s been like that her whole life. When you get an athlete like that and you get her on the field, she’s going to absorb what she’s taught and she’ll apply it immediately.
“Everything with her is, ‘I want to be the best. I want to be the best,'” Golladay said. “People can feel that energy from her.”
