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ALL-COUNTY GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL 2025
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ava Irwin, JSerra, Freshman
JSerra freshman wide receiver Ava Irwin has several choices when it comes to picking her favorite catch from the girls flag football season.
She made a leaping touchdown grab in the back corner of the end zone in the fourth quarter against Orange Lutheran in the first round of Trinity League play.
In the CIF-SS Division 1 final, she soared twice to high-point long passes for touchdowns against Orange Lutheran.
But another reception stands out more for Irwin.
“My catch against OLu in the second (league) game on the last extra point of the game,” she said. “I jumped over a few people and got it. It didn’t seem so important at the time but we only won by one point.”
Irwin was a young playmaker fueled by team success.
“She had catches in all three of our games (against JSerra) that were incredibly impactful,” Orange Lutheran coach Kristen Sherman said of Irwin.
JSerra (28-0) won Trinity League and CIF-SS Division 1 championships as Irwin had 163 catches for 1,903 yards and 27 touchdowns. She also played safety on defense and amassed 94 flag pulls and 15 interceptions.
Irwin was selected the CIF-SS Division 1 player of the year and was a first-team All-Trinity League selection.
“Ava is a star,” JSerra coach Brian Ong said. “Her ability to make big plays on both sides of the ball is testament to her hard work. Yes, Ava is talented and has great instincts, but her attention to detail in the film room and effort on the practice field is what sets her apart.”
Irwin began playing flag football in the sixth grade. She joined a Burbank Vikings boys team with friend Riley Sarkovich and has been hooked on the growing sport ever since.
Her brother Trent, 30, a wide receiver on the New York Jets’ practice squad, is an important influence.
“I really started watching him in college (at Stanford) and the NFL (with Cincinnati),” Irwin said. “He was at such a high level and it really made we want to learn.”
“We’re pretty close,” she added of her brother, who starred at Hart of Newhall. “Whenever he is home, we play games together like Madden because we both love competing so much.”
Irwin’s athletic genes are extensive. Her brother Shawn is an all-conference wide receiver at Antelope Valley College. Her older sister Alyssa played soccer at UC Santa Barbara. Her foster brother Anthony has enlisted in the Marines.
Irwin values family. She considers her high school teammates, including quarterbacks Ava Van Heerde and Kate Meier, like family.
“We really were together the whole time through ups and down,” she said of JSerra. “That’s what helped us win.”
COACH OF THE YEAR
Brian Ong, JSerra
In his third season, Brian Ong guided JSerra (28-0) to Trinity League and CIF-SS Division 1 championships. The Lions were named national champions for the fall season by MaxPreps.
JSerra featured only one senior.
The Lions lost in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs in 2024 and went 0-8 in league in 2023.
Ong was assisted by defensive coordinator Brian Russell and quarterbacks coach Chloe Sharabba, who works with private QB guru Jordan Palmer.
ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB/P: Makena Cook, Orange Lutheran, Jr.
The 2024 Orange County player of the year passed for 7,083 yards and 112 touchdowns en route to earning Trinity League offensive player of the year.
QB: Madi Lam, Santa Margarita, Sr.
The first-team All-Trinity League selection threw for 5,659 yards and 68 TDs as she led the Eagles to the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals.
QB: Roxie Shaia, Huntington Beach, Jr.
Shaia passed for 6,692 yards and 89 touchdowns as she led the Oilers to a share of the Sunset League title and reached the Division 1 semifinals.
C: Ruby Fuamatu, Orange Lutheran, Sr.
A Chargers’ all-star game selection, Fuamatu had 78 catches for 513 yards and nine TDs.
WR: Josie Anderson, Orange Lutheran, Jr.
The first-team All-Trinity League selection had 140 receptions, including a school-record 24 against JSerra in the second round of league, for 1,335 yards and 15 TDs.
WR: Ava Irwin, JSerra, Fr.
She is the Orange County player of the year.
WR: Emma Ortiz, Trabuco Hills, Sr.
The South Coast League MVP racked up 144 receptions for 1,928 yards and 29 touchdowns. She added nine interceptions on defense.
WR: Taylor Savage, Huntington Beach, Sr.
The Sunset League co-MVP hauled in 247 receptions for 2,403 yards and 29 touchdowns as she led the Oilers to a share of the league title and reached the Division 1 semifinals. She grabbed 17 interceptions as a safety on defense.
All-purpose: GG Szczuka JSerra, Jr.
The Trinity League MVP racked up 137 receptions for 1,797 yards and 20 touchdowns while playing running back and wide receiver. As a rusher on defense, she recorded a team-high eight sacks.
DEFENSE
Rush: Addison Stern, Corona del Mar, So.
The CIF-SS Division 2 player of the year impressed as a pass rusher and shifted to quarterback to help lead the Sea Kings to the section title.
LB: Sterling Flores, JSerra, Fr.
The first-team All-Trinity League selection led the Division 1 champion in flag pulls with 166. She added nine interceptions.
LB: Julia Oberholtzer, Orange Lutheran, Sr.
Oberholtzer, who was selected first-team All-Trinity League, tallied 137 flag pulls and 16 interceptions.
DB: Cooper Dick, Newport Harbor, Sr.
The Sunset League defensive player of the year snagged 14 interceptions to help the Sailors claim a share of the league title.
DB: Ella Feldhaus, Canyon, Sr.
The Crestview League MVP had 12 interceptions on defense and passed for 4,663 yards and 58 touchdowns as she led the Comanches to the league title.
DB: Ellie Frazier, Esperanza, Sr.
The Crestview League defensive player of the year had 15 interceptions on defense and posted 4,241 yards of total offense as a dual-threat quarterback.
DB: Tessa Russell, JSerra, Fr.
The Trinity League’s defensive player of the year snatched 19 interceptions and hauled in 140 receptions for 1,536 and 20 TDs.
ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Scarlett Guyser, Newport Harbor, So.
QB: Kate Meier, JSerra, Fr.
C: Kate Ross, Huntington Beach, Sr.
WR: Skylie Cid, Newport Harbor, So.
WR: Katy Cott, Canyon, Sr.
WR: Happy Dubois, Orange Lutheran, Fr.
WR: Giselle Nacelli, San Clemente, So.
WR: Kailey Tilson, Cypress, So.
All-Purpose: Sadie Olivares, Edison, Jr.
DEFENSE
Rush: Ava Mortensen, Newport Harbor, Jr.
Rush: Sophia Reyna, Portola, Fr.
LB: Addison Bond, Edison, Fr.
LB: Dyllan Harris, Woodbridge, Jr.
DB: Mia Balabanian, Corona del Mar, So.
DB: Natalie Keith, Northwood, Sr.
DB: Addison Rudel, Aliso Niguel, Jr.
DB: Kendall White, El Toro, Sr.