AzPreps365 reached out to a top flag player from every classification and asked them the same three questions leading up to the season.

Here are their answers:

3A

Nola Bynum, Scottsdale Christian, senior, running back

What did you learn about yourself as a player by the end of the season and how is it going to help you heading into this year??

“The most important thing I was to move on after each play. You can’t be bogged down because of a bad play or gain too much confidence after a good one. You have to keep the same attitude and put your best effort no matter what happened the play before.”

What is the potential of the team and what needs to happen for the program to make a deep playoff run?

“I think our team has a chance to win a state championship again. We lost our center (Bria Lindblade) because she graduated and we need someone to step up, but we still have a lot of good players.

“If we are going to make a good playoff run we have to be able to catch the ball because we have such a talented quarterback (Campbell Reader). She is so good we have trouble catching the ball sometimes. If we can get better we will make a lot of big plays.”

What is it about flag football that drew you into the sport and what keeps you coming back each season?

“My freshman year I played volleyball, but when the school started flag football and my dad was a coach, so I made the change. My primary sport is soccer and I play club. Flag was an outside sport, and it is physical so it’s a lot like soccer.

“I really like it a lot more now and almost as much as soccer. I’ve never been on a team where I love my teammates as much. It has been a great experience and it’s why I keep playing.”

4A

Isla Collins, Salpointe Catholic, sophomore, quarterback

What did you learn about yourself as a player by the end of the season and how is it going to help you heading into this year??

“I learned last year that I am a perfectionist when it comes to flag football. I don’t like making mistakes no matter how small. Towards the end of last season in playoffs, I started to realize that no mistakes at quarterback and perfect games is near impossible. This year I know success comes with mistakes and keeping a level head and keeping the energy and encouragement up is the most important way to come back from mistakes and win games.”

What is the potential of the team and what needs to happen for the program to make a deep playoff run?

“The potential of the team this year is another state championship. In order for this to happen we need to master the basics. Elite flag pulling and catching the ball well is what propelled us deep into the playoffs last year.”

What is it about flag football that drew you into the sport and what keeps you coming back each season?

“What drew me into flag football was the fact that I grew up around it. When I was young, my brother played for one of the biggest teams nation-wide, and I became interested in the sport. I continue to play flag because of the memories it creates with teammates and the continuous opportunities arising from the sport.”

5A

Kayla Tacker, Casa Grande, senior, wide receiver

What did you learn about yourself as a player by the end of the season and how is it going to help you heading into this year??

“Flag football has taught me so much about myself and what it really means to be a leader, athlete and involved in my community. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about being the loudest or making every play. It’s about showing up, working hard, pushing my teammates, staying positive, and believing in us when things get tough.

“When I started this program in 2023 to now, I’m so proud of how far we’ve come and how much we’ve built together. Now, going into my last season, it means even more. We have 10 seniors, and this is our last chance to play together and finish what we started. We’ve made history, but we haven’t won a state championship and that’s what we want, it’s all we think about – the unfinished business.”

What is the potential of the team and what needs to happen for the program to make a deep playoff run?

“I really believe we have what it takes to make a run at the state championship this year. We have a fast team, a determined team, and a group of girls who all have the same goal. The 10 seniors are girls who helped support my dream come true of making flag football a sport at Casa Grande Union, so this is our last chance to do something special together.

“We started this program, and we've worked so hard to build it into what it is today. We've made history, but we haven't won a state title yet—and that's what we're chasing this year. To leave this program as state champions would mean everything to me.”

What is it about flag football that drew you into the sport and what keeps you coming back each season?

“What first drew me to flag football was growing up, always hanging out and being around boys who played, and then slowly falling in love with the game, coming into high school getting the chance to be part of something new and start a girls program at my school was something I’ll forever cherish and be proud of.

“Honestly, the girls are a huge reason I keep coming back. I love playing with all of the girls on my high school team, and I love my club teammates too. We work hard together, compete together, laugh together, get frustrated together, and celebrate together. These girls have become such an important part of my life.”

6A

Lacie Nemchick, Highland, junior, quarterback

What did you learn about yourself as a player by the end of the season and how is it going to help you heading into this year??

“By the end of last season, I learned the importance of preparation and the confidence it can help build. The more my team and I studied the game, trained, conditioned, and built chemistry the better we were on the field. This mindset will carry into this year, and I’m focused on being a more consistent leader and putting my teammates in the best position to succeed.”

What is the potential of the team and what needs to happen for the program to make a deep playoff run?

“I believe our team has the potential to compete with anyone if we continue to stay connected and focused on improving every week. We want to stay in the present and take it day by day. A deep playoff run won’t come from one player, but from everyone doing their job, trusting one another, and staying disciplined. If we continue to work hard and show up every day, I believe we can accomplish something special. Our real competition is ourselves.”

What is it about flag football that drew you into the sport and what keeps you coming back each season?

“I first became drawn to flag football because of my true passion for the game. I originally played with all boys on my brother’s flag team, so I think having the opportunity to play on the same team as him was something I always enjoyed. I love the quarterback position because of the leadership the role contains as well as the mental side of the game: reading defenses, making quick decisions, and having to react after the ball is snapped.

“What keeps me coming back is the opportunity to compete alongside my teammates, continuing to grow as an athlete, my love for the game, and making my family proud.”

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