As Arizona Girls Flag Football Draws National Attention, ASEC Honors Ten Week 5 Medallion Recipients
ALA–Gilbert North, Arete Prep, Arizona College Prep, Casa Grande, Cienega, Eastmark, Highland, Marana, Queen Creek, and Verrado
PHOENIX (October 21, 2026): The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) and its managed entity, the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC), have announced ten Week 5 medallion recipients for the 2026 Arizona High School Flag Football Player of the Year Award, recognizing outstanding performances from games played October 11 through 17.
“Arizona girls flag football is no longer just a local story; it is making national news. The talent, competition and growth we are seeing across our state have people around the country paying attention, and athletes like this week’s medallion recipients are a big reason why. Arizona is helping set the standard for what this sport can become, and we are proud to celebrate the young women leading the way.”
Nikki Balich, Executive Director, Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission
The Week 5 honorees are Jhaylah Scisson (So., Verrado); Izzy Restivo (Sr., Arete Prep); Regan Nickle (So., Arizona College Prep); Sophia Silverstein (So., Marana); Emma Reynolds (Sr., Queen Creek); Mikaela Oberstein (Sr., Eastmark); Lacie Nemchick (Sr., Highland); Kynsley Mueller (So., ALA–Gilbert North); Raeleigh Burgett (Jr., Cienega); and Kayla Tacker (Sr., Casa Grande).
The medallions recognize weekly excellence as the program continues toward its end-of-season selection of Arizona’s outstanding high school girls’ flag football player. For more information on the award, visit www.azsportsent.com.
Week 5 Medallion Winners
Ten student-athletes earned Week 5 Arizona High School Flag Football Player of the Year Award Medallions and entered the qualified award pool.
Jhaylah Scisson
VerradoScisson caught 7 passes for 74 yards and 1 touchdown, adding 7 flag pulls, 6 interceptions for 143 return yards and 12 passes defended against Copper Canyon and Willow Canyon. She also returned 2 punts for 22 yards and rushed once for 2 yards.
Izzy Restivo
Arete PrepRestivo recorded 12 receptions for 129 yards and 1 touchdown, 18 flag pulls and 1 interception against Arizona Lutheran and Heritage Academy Mesa. She added 108 yards on 2 punt returns, rushed 4 times for 22 yards and converted all 5 extra-point attempts.
Regan Nickle
Arizona College PrepNickle completed 27 of 45 passes for 433 yards and 7 touchdowns, adding 131 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 16 carries against Desert Edge and Maricopa. She also caught 2 passes for 26 yards, accounting for 10 touchdowns during the week.
Sophia Silverstein
MaranaSilverstein caught 11 passes for 138 yards and 4 touchdowns against Liberty, adding 5 flag pulls, 1 interception and 1 pass defended.
Emma Reynolds
Queen CreekReynolds completed 16 of 23 passes for 297 yards and 5 touchdowns, adding 89 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns to account for 8 touchdowns.
Mikaela Oberstein
EastmarkOberstein recorded 12 receptions for 213 yards and 4 touchdowns against St. Mary’s and Crismon, adding 5 solo flag pulls and 1 pass defended.
Lacie Nemchick
HighlandNemchick completed 26 of 36 passes for 454 yards and 8 touchdowns without an interception in Highland’s 63–0 win over Mesa. She also rushed once for 20 yards and converted all 5 extra-point attempts.
Kynsley Mueller
ALA–Gilbert NorthMueller recorded 7 solo flag pulls, including 6 for loss, and 4 sacks.
Raeleigh Burgett
CienegaBurgett caught 3 passes for 40 yards and 1 touchdown against Sabino, adding 5 flag pulls (4 solo), 2 flag pulls for loss, 2 sacks and 5 quarterback hurries. She recorded 2 interceptions for 68 return yards and 1 pass defended, converting all 5 extra points and her lone field goal.
Kayla Tacker
Casa GrandeTacker caught 5 passes for 78 yards and 3 touchdowns, adding 3 solo flag pulls, including 1 for loss, and 1 sack.
About the Arizona High School Flag Football Player of the Year Award
Introduced by the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club in 2024, the Arizona High School Flag Football Player of the Year Award annually recognizes the state’s top girls’ flag football player. Weekly medallions honor outstanding individual performances during the season.
About the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club
The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC) is Arizona's leading advocate for high school football, dedicated to recognizing the state's top student-athletes. The club presents the prestigious Ed Doherty Award to the most outstanding prep football player at the end of each season, and in 2024 introduced the Arizona High School Flag Football Player of the Year Award, now given annually to the state’s top girls’ flag football player. Through these initiatives, the club celebrates individual athletic, academic, and leadership achievements, promoting Arizona’s rich football tradition on a national stage.
About the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission
The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) brings people together through sport to create opportunity and strengthen Arizona. Founded in 1988, ASEC is among the oldest sports commissions in the United States and operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its mission is to represent the citizens of Arizona by bringing sporting events to the state, helping promote existing events, and supporting youth and amateur sports.
ASEC has built and safeguarded many of the institutions that define Arizona sports. The commission has overseen the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame since 2009 and the Grand Canyon State Games and the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games since 2012. It was the founding organization and original owner of the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl, which debuted in 2015. Today, ASEC owns and operates the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association (ABCA) and Section 7 Basketball, one of the most prestigious boys and girls high school basketball recruiting events in the country. Learn more at www.AZsportsENT.com.
For more information, visit azsportsent.com.