Bishop Verot’s senior quarterback Lila Dinkel has been crowned the Southwest Florida Flag Football Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, a testament to her sustained dominance on the field.
A Season of Stars
The Vikings finished the year with a 14‑2 record and secured their first state playoff victory, a milestone that underscored the program’s rise under Dinkel’s leadership.
Offensively, she amassed 1,646 passing yards and 32 touchdowns while adding 1,149 rushing yards and 15 scores, numbers that placed her among the most prolific playmakers in the region.
Defensively, Dinkel was a nightmare for opponents, recording 75 flag pulls, 18 sacks, 11 interceptions and 12 pass breakups, contributions that helped the team tighten its defense.
Coach Thomas McGuire of Bonita Springs was honored as Coach of the Year after guiding the Bull Sharks to a 19‑1 season and delivering the program’s inaugural district championship.
The News‑Press and Naples Daily News compile All‑Area teams at season’s end, with coaches from across the area nominating and rating athletes for the honors.
Among the standout receivers, Ariana Aguiar caught 68 passes for 972 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Kinsley Brereton threw for 3,389 yards and 58 scores, and Taylor Brock completed 67 % of her passes for 2,524 yards and 42 touchdowns.
Other notable performances included Bella Burgess, who excelled on both sides of the ball with 49 receptions for 912 yards and 17 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, and Jaslene Garcia, who led her defense with 91 flag pulls.
The breadth of talent extended to Jazmyn Johnson, Kelsi Longabardi, Isabella Martinez, Kylee Terry, Caroline Ward and Lilly Witz, each of whom posted impressive statistics that highlighted the depth of competition in Southwest Florida.
These achievements reflect not only individual excellence but also the growing competitiveness of high school flag football in the region, a trend that bodes well for the sport’s future.