Michaeltore Smith, who guided Camarillo High to a 25‑3 record and a Coastal Canyon League championship, announced his departure from the school to become the head coach of Sierra Canyon’s brand‑new flag football team.
The decision was driven largely by the arrival of Makena Cook, a quarterback who amassed 7,083 passing yards and 112 touchdowns in her junior season and recently received her first Power 4 collegiate flag football offer.
Cook’s move from Orange Lutheran to Sierra Canyon has turned the program into a magnet for other top athletes, including transfers Ava Irwin and Angelina Dubois, who bring experience from JSerra and Orange Lutheran respectively.
A New Era for Sierra Canyon Flag Football
The roster is a blend of athletes who excel in other sports but are new to flag football, creating a unique mix that Smith believes can be shaped into a competitive unit.
At the Los Angeles Chargers invitational tournament, the team posted a 3‑2 record, a promising start that has only heightened Smith’s ambition to build a program that can contend quickly.
Smith has spoken openly about his high expectations, emphasizing that the goal is to establish a sustainable, winning culture rather than merely chase hype.
Cook, meanwhile, has placed the focus squarely on on‑field performance, stating that the team’s success will be measured by results, not by the attention surrounding her transfer.