The Ohio High School Athletic Association made history this spring by sponsoring its first statewide flag football tournament, bringing together the region’s most promising talent from central Ohio schools such as Fairbanks and Westerville North.
A Milestone Tournament
Twelve athletes were honored for their standout performances, highlighting a season that blended competitive spirit with emerging stars across the area.
At the center of the celebration was Fairbanks senior Jolie Porter, who was crowned the inaugural flag football Athlete of the Year after completing 79 of 112 passes for 1,178 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Coaches Magdalena Espada and Jason Vicari from Fairbanks were named Coaches of the Year, with Vicari’s offense averaging 35.2 points and scoring 30 or more points in all but one regular‑season game, while Espada’s defense limited opponents to just 8.2 points per contest.
Stars of the Season
Among the honorees, Kate Barron of Worthington Christian recorded 16 flag pulls, two interceptions and a sack, while Kacee Bohan of Westerville North quarterbacked the Warriors to a 9‑1 season and a league championship.
Mackenzie Coffman from Westerville Central threw for 2,500 yards and 40 touchdowns, and Gabby Connor of Westerville North earned co‑Player of the Year honors in the Orange Division.
Logan Fillman of Fairbanks led his team in rushing yards and touchdowns and also topped defensive stats with 40 flag pulls, and Casey Howard of Whitehall returned six interceptions for touchdowns while pulling 40 flags on defense.
Harper Landon of Fairbanks paced the Panthers in receiving yards and ranked second in rushing yards, while AJ Woods of Whitehall contributed 14 total touchdowns, 62 receptions for 889 yards and 516 rushing yards.
Cora Markley of London earned first‑team all‑Orange Division honors and also starred on the varsity basketball team, and Audrey Reed of Westerville Central shared Orange Division Player of the Year with Connor.
Hannah West of Delaware Hayes added three interception returns for touchdowns, helping the Pacers finish 7‑3, and the list of celebrated athletes also included AJ Woods, Sam Warye and Dave Purpura, whose all‑around impacts rounded out the awards.