A milestone achievement
Ariana Akey of Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch, Colorado) has been named the 2025‑26 MaxPreps National Player of the Year for flag football, an honor that caps a high school career defined by relentless success and unprecedented dominance on both sides of the ball.
During her tenure, Akey guided her squad to back‑to‑back unbeaten seasons and secured a second consecutive Class 5A state championship, cementing the program’s place among the nation’s elite.
Her statistical footprint is equally staggering: she amassed more than 11,700 passing and rushing yards, scored 200 touchdowns, and posted a career completion rate of 67 percent, throwing for 4,545 yards and 89 touchdowns while adding 1,526 rushing yards and 22 scores.
In the state championship game, she completed 31 of 40 passes for 365 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 104 yards and five scores, a performance that underscored her clutch ability.
Akey’s defensive contributions also surged, as she more than doubled her flag pulls to 102, intercepted 10 passes and recorded four sacks, illustrating her all‑field impact.
The Colorado standout’s next step is a commitment to the University of Nebraska, a decision heavily influenced by her relationship with head coach Liz Sowers, who played a pivotal role in her recruitment.
Beyond high school, Akey earned MVP honors at the NFL FLAG Showcase during the Pro Bowl festivities in February, a testament to her growing national prominence.