The Shore Sports Insider has unveiled its 2026 All‑Shore Girls Flag Football Second Team, a roster that spotlights the most influential players from across the region this season.
Standout Performers
Heidi Cyphert, the Wildcats’ quarterback, threw for 1,546 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding 196 rushing yards and two scores, and Grace Ascolese matched the production with 1,376 passing yards and 17 touchdowns plus 415 rushing yards and six more touchdowns. Nariyah Mathis powered the Titans with 560 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards, contributing 54 points, while Olivia Brown and Dixie Smith formed a potent rushing‑receiving combo that produced 793 rushing yards and 502 receiving yards respectively. Kyra Greenberg helped Manalapan to its first winning season with 50 catches for 527 yards and seven touchdowns, and Chloe Glickman added 37 receptions for 315 yards and four scores, complemented by 205 rushing yards and three touchdowns and a punt return for a touchdown. Rachel Yasnowski contributed 17 catches for 306 yards and five touchdowns and anchored the defense with 20 tackles and two interceptions, and Lila O’Neal threw for 1,410 yards and 21 touchdowns while also running for four scores, guiding her team to a seven‑win campaign. Payton Smith proved a dual threat with 924 passing yards and nine touchdowns and 609 rushing yards and seven scores, and Gabriella Castellanos added 946 passing yards and seven touchdowns along with 375 rushing yards and seven scores. Ellie Shatkus fueled the Warriors with 60 tackles and 20 sacks, while Natalya Novitsky led the Bengals with seven sacks and 37 tackles on an undefeated, No. 1 squad. Sofya Timura ranked third in the Shore with 77 tackles and four pass breakups, Victoria Beninato was a defensive standout with 61 tackles, nine sacks, 13 tackles for loss, three interceptions and two pick‑sixes, and Bailey Baxter topped her team with 64 tackles, seven sacks and two interceptions while also scoring twice on offense. Phoebe Zimmerman topped the conference with 88 tackles, 11 sacks, six interceptions and two pick‑sixes, Princess Graves amassed a team‑high 525 receiving yards and 48 points while also recording six interceptions, Helana Thompson contributed 77 tackles and eight sacks with three interceptions for the Shore’s No. 2 team, Madison Adam, a two‑time All‑Shore selection, led the Warriors at quarterback and linebacker en route to six victories, Lia Gordon helped secure a share of the North Division title and a quarterfinal berth with 116 rushing yards, 216 receiving yards and four touchdowns, Olivia Stillwell made an impact on both sides of the ball for the Warriors, and Anna Olson topped the secondary in pass break‑ups for the Bulldogs.
Impact Beyond the Stats
Beyond individual statistics, the selections reflect a season in which multiple programs posted winning records, several teams advanced deep into the Shore Conference Tournament, and the overall competitive balance was underscored by the breadth of talent spread across diverse schools.
All‑Star Recognition
The recognition extended to the North‑South All‑Star Game, where a host of second‑team standouts earned invitations, including Grace Ascolese, Olivia Brown, Dixie Smith, Kyra Greenberg, Chloe Glickman, Rachel Yasnowski, Lila O’Neal, Payton Smith, Gabriella Castellanos, Ellie Shatkus, Natalya Novitsky, Sofya Timura, Victoria Beninato, Bailey Baxter, Phoebe Zimmerman, Princess Graves, Helana Thompson, Madison Adam, Lia Gordon, Olivia Stillwell and Anna Olson, a testament to the depth of the league’s talent pool.
As the next season looms, the spotlight will remain on these emerging stars, many of whom are already being courted by college programs and local media, promising another year of high‑octane play and community excitement across the Shore.