FLAG FOOTBALL: Player of the Week nominees and fan voting for Week 1 (March 7-12, 2022)

For the first time ever, we are having a Player of the Week Awards for Flag Football and we got a wide range of nominees from Week 1 that was sent to us by Coaches from around the state.

The number of nominees will vary each week depending on the nominations received by coaches.

You may vote as often as you like with voting open through 11:59 PM EDT on Thursday, March 17, 2022. Winners from the fan vote will be revealed by FloridaHSFootball.com along with our own selections on Friday, March 18, 2022, for Week 1 Player of the Week in each of the four categories. NOTE: We do reserve the right to remove votes if there is any suspicious activity in the voting.

CLASS 2A OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEES

Torri Bernard, Orlando Cypress Creek, Sr. – The senior helped the Bears get off to 1-0 start with 190 total yards of offense (75 receiving, 55 rushing, 60 passing) including two total touchdowns (1 receiving, 1 rushing).

Carson Buttram, Dover Strawberry Crest, So. – In their opening game against Spoto, Buttram had 10 carries for 75 yards, 1 TD, plus one reception for 50 yards and a touchdown.

Kamryn Corporan, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, So. – In her first season playing flag football for the newly formed Raiders’ program, Corporan racked up 15 catches and 320 yards receiving in wins against Miami Braddock and Miami Norland to open the season.

Abby Elwell, Ruskin Lennard, So. – Elwell led the Longhorns to a season-opening 24-0 victory over Bradenton Lakewood Ranch going 24-of-39 passing for 300 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.

Sydney Ford, Davie Western, Sr. – Ford had a huge week to start off here senior season going 16-of-24 passing with 2 touchdowns in a 14-7 win over Boca Raton Spanish River and then went 11-of-18 passing for 178 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 52-6 win over Hollywood McArthur. Overall, Ford went 27-of-42 passing for 345 yards passing and 7 touchdowns to start the season.

Tamya Heath, Port St. Lucie Centennial, Sr. – The senior had a standout week in helping the Eagles go 2-0 with 6 receptions for 122 yards and 3 touchdowns as well as an interception return for a touchdown on defense in the win over St. Cloud. Heath also collected 46 yards receiving on 3 receptions plus an interception in a win over Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast.

Nichole Hollowell, Orlando East River, Sr. – Hollowell went 10-of-21 passing for 154 yards and 3 touchdowns plus 1 rushing touchdown in the Falcons’ 32-0 win over Colonial and then went 7-of-12 passing for 172 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 34-14 win over Orlando Evans to start the season off with a 2-0 record.

Kayla Ludwig, Lithia Newsome, Jr. – Ludwig was a multi-dimensional offensive threat for the Wolves at receiver and passer in their two opening games. In the first game, a 41-0 win over Tampa Wharton, Ludwig went 5-of-6 passing for 68 yards and a touchdown, plus had 3 carries for 22 yards and a touchdown. On top of that, she added 3 receptions for 60 yards and 2 touchdowns. In a 32-12 win over Plant City, Ludwig went 11-of-20 passing for 160 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus had four receptions for 50 yards and 1 touchdown. Overall, Ludwig accounted for 360 yards of total offense and 8 touchdowns for the Wolves in Week 1.

Mya Quinn, Boca Raton Spanish River, Sr. – In a 2-1 start for the Sharks, Quinn was the offensive weapon in all three games. In the 52-0 victory over Boca Raton Olympic Heights Quinn had 6 receptions for 87 yards and 1 touchdown, plus went 2-of-2 passing for 45 yards and a touchdown, had one 2-point conversion pass, and recorded three interceptions on defense. In the 14-7 loss to Davie Western, Quinn had 4 receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown and went 2-of-4 passing for 62 yards. With the 36-0 win over Lantana Santaluces, Quinn recorded 5 receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown and went 6-of-11 passing for 60 yards and a touchdown. And for good measure in the Santaluces game, she added 3 interceptions on defense.

Adrienne Rivera, Fort Pierce Central, Fr. – Leading the Cobras to a 2-1 start, Rivera has quickly made her name known along the Treasure Coast. In a 12-6 win over Stuart South Fork, Rivera went 17-31 for 122 yards passing and 2 touchdowns plus added in 91 yards rushing on 14 carries. In a 6-0 win over Jupiter Rivera went 20-of-28 passing for 154 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception plus added in 5 carries for 29 yards. In the loss to Palm Beach Central, Rivera went 15-of-24 passing for 137 yards, throwing 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions, and added in 81 yards rushing on 9 carries.

Mieke Rowe, Tampa Alonso, Jr. – Rowe started off the season with an impressive 3 game performance against Tampa Catholic, Tampa Sickles, and Tampa Wharton to get the Ravens started 3-0 on the season. In the game against Tampa Catholic, Rowe was 16-of-19 passing for 269 yards and 5 touchdowns. Against Tampa Sickles, she went 12-of-14 passing for 152 yards and 3 touchdowns, and against Tampa Wharton went 20-of-23 passing for 257 yards and 6 touchdowns. Overall, went 48-of-56 passing for 678 yards, 14 touchdowns on the week.

Ashley Smith, Jacksonville Mandarin, Sr. – Smith led the team the Mustangs to a 2-0 start on the season throwing for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 13-6 win over school rival Jacksonville Atlantic Coast. Smith then added 187 yards passing for 3 more touchdowns in a 30-6 win over Jacksonville Westside while boosting a 3.48 GPA in the classroom.

Layla West, Tampa Hillsborough, So. – Opened up a great week for the Terriers who went 2-0 to start the season starting with going 21-of-33 passing for 177 yards and 3 touchdowns plus 9 carries 71 yards rushing, and a touchdown in a win over Plant City Durant. In the second game against Tampa Gaither, West went 17-of-25 passing or 155 yards and four touchdowns plus rushed for 71 yards on 8 carries and a touchdown. Overall, West accounted for 9 touchdowns for Hillsborough in Week 1.

CLASS 2A DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEES

Yariana Lugo-Perez, Orlando East River, So. – In the opening week of games, Lugo-Perez recorded 7 interceptions for the Falcons including 3 in the game vs. Colonial as well as 4 in the game vs. Evans. In each of the two games, at least one interception was returned for a touchdown that helped the Falcons start the season with a 2-0 record.

Thalia Pagen, Royal Palm Beach, Sr. – Pagen opened a great week for the Wildcats by recording 8 flag pulls which 6 were sacks as well as one safety in a win over Boca Raton. In the game against Lake Worth, Pagen recorded 5 flag pulls, which all went for sacks and her coach says she creates problems for opposing quarterbacks.

Alyssa Saaverdra, Orlando Colonial, Sr. – A four-year varsity player for the Grenadiers, Saaverdra recorded the game-winning touchdown on an interception return for a touchdown 6-0 and her coach has called her a great asset to the team and knowing how to execute plays.

Gabriella Savage, Wellington Palm Beach Central, Jr. – Had 6 passing touchdowns in games against Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer and Fort Pierce Central to start the week. In the 31-6 win over Fort Pierce Central, Savage threw for over 150 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Maylee Smith, New Smyrna Beach, Sr. – Smith had nine flag pulls and one interception in the Barracudas’ 7-0 win over Deltona to start the season.

Elanie Sullard, Delray Beach Atlantic, So. – Recorded three interceptions for the Eagles last week in the game against Forest Hill.

Marlee Wilson, Valrico Bloomingdale, Sr. – Wilson had a huge week for the Bulls with nearly 30 flag pulls in two wins over Plant City and Riverview Sumner. In the game against Plant City Wilson had 9 flag pulls, 1 batted ball, and a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown. In the game against Sumner Wilson collected 11 flag pulls, batted 2 balls, and recorded an interception.

CLASS 1A OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEES

Elisha Bluford, Lecanto, Fr. – Bluford scored the lone touchdown for the Panthers 6-0 shutout victory over county rival Crystal River. She finished the game with 12 carries for 97 yards.

Courtney Cromer, Jensen Beach, Sr. – Cromer led the Falcons to a 2-0 start by first going 18-of-25 passing for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 26-20 win over Vero Beach. She also added a 10-yard rushing touchdown in the game against Vero Beach. In the second game against Stuart South Fork, a 27-0 win, Cromer went 15-of-31 passing for 122 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Laniyah Leon, Miami Killian, Sr. – Had 8 receptions for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns in games against Miami Central and South Miami to start the season, plus went 1-1 for passing for 40 yards.

Destiny Lockett, St. Petersburg Gibbs, Sr. – Lockett led the Gladiators to a 3-0 start with wins over Gulfport Boca Ciega, Largo Pinellas Park, and Shady Hills Classical Prep going 41-of-66 passing for 332 yards along with 5 touchdowns and only throwing one interception. Lockett also had 27 carries for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns.

CLASS 1A DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEES

Lauren Duke, Jensen Beach, Jr. – Duke had a great week for the Falcons in wins over Vero Beach and Stuart South Fork. In the game against Vero Beach, Duke recorded 2 interceptions including one for 45 yards touchdown return. Against South Fork, Duke also recorded 2 interceptions.

Liani Gill, West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy, Fr. – Gill total 250 all-purpose yards, 14 sacks, and safety in the Thunderwolves’ two games between Belle Glade Glades Central and Boynton Beach to get the season started.

Dionna Knox, Brooksville Central, Sr. – Had a huge week start the season for the Bears with five total interceptions in two games. In the first game against Weeki Wachee, Knox recorded three interceptions in the 31-9 win including stopping a critical drive inside the 10-yard line, returning it 40 yards, as well returning another interception for a touchdown. In the game against Shady Hills Classical Prep, Knox recorded two interceptions in a very tight ball game.

Mackenzie Kusnlerz, Lecanto, Sr., – Kusnlerz recorded 10 flag pulls for the Panthers, including 3 that were for a tackle for loss in a 6-0 shutout victory over county rival Crystal River.

Christal Rolack, Tampa Robinson, Sr. – Rolack, one of the top returners for Robinson, helped lead the Knights to victories over Riverview and Tampa Wharton. In the game against Riverview, Rolack recorded 6 flag pulls while in the game against Wharton she had 4 flag pulls, 2 interceptions including one returned for a touchdown.

Zion Russell, Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons, So. – Russel helped her team get a 9-7 victory over a tough Boca Raton team including having 9 total flag pulls which 8 of them were for sacks and a safety.