MESA, Ariz. – The girls of the Red Mountain flag football team are rewriting what it means to be unstoppable as they conquer the first official season of AIA flag football as undefeated champions of the 6A Fiesta region.

The Mountain Lions only fear one thing: losing.

Bruises, scratches,100-degree heat and competition are what have driven them to their undefeated streak in the first AIA official year of flag football in Arizona. 

Undefeated is almost an understatement to the team. Four of their games in the season were shutouts, eight of their games were won by double-digits and in all 12 victories, the team scored a touchdown. Domination is the best word to describe the Mountain Lions, who have posted a 21-point differential for the season.

Their only preparation for this season was a five-game season last year. If you ask the players, the key to the victories isn’t the Friday film reviews or the daily practices but the sense of belonging and connection between the girls.

“Family – I love my team and when I get to spend time with them, it brightens my night,” senior Bianca Corona said.

“I know Bianca said family, and Imma say the same thing ‘cause we are a family. We’re more than a team,” senior Kassidy Lopez added.

“Together – we’re always together. Even on the weekends, we are always hanging out,” senior Isabella Misquez said.

In December 2022, the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s executive board voted to sanction girls' flag football as a fall sport. In less than one year, Red Mountain has created a powerhouse of a roster.

“Coach (Julian) Madison got me into flag football,” Trisha Stine said. “Sometimes I get down. He says, 'calm down, you’ve got this.' They see it in me.”

Madison is no rookie at coaching or flag football. He began coaching football after he graduated and specialized in leading receivers and DBs for seven years. He then took a break and decided to start coaching flag football in 2022.

“I’ve been playing flag football since I was 14. I still currently compete in tournaments and men’s leagues,” Madison said. “I have more experience playing the game than I do coaching sports in general.”

With 2023 being the first official season of sanctioned flag football in Arizona, Madison credited the Red Mountain girls basketball coach, Anthony Jackson, with assisting in recruiting girls to play on the flag football team.

What was the key to building such a strong team so quickly? Teaching them confidence.

“The main thing, I think, makes teams successful is the players buying into the fact that we can beat any team and believe in themselves,” Madison said.

The strength of the team’s confidence, trust and care for each other is on display in every game.

Girls are constantly cheering for each other after the best and worst play of each game. During warmups, they are seen staying light-hearted and dancing with each other, while after games they are hugging in celebration.

“My team, of course. They always help me and lift me up. I love them,” quarterback Korey Roberts said after their senior night game.

A strong foundation is built for Red Mountain’s flag football team heading into future seasons. But there's more work ahead in 2023.

The team began the road to a state championship with a 27-7 win over Mesa High School in the first round of the AIA 6A State Championship bracket Thursday and next face Xavier Prep.