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ALL-COUNTY GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL 2024
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Makena Cook, Orange Lutheran, Sophomore
The arm strength forced defenses to spread out and cover more distance on the field. The threat of the run kept the opposition off balance. And the fiery personality energized teammates.
Orange Lutheran quarterback Makena Cook combined all these qualities to challenge opponents like no other player. “She can do it all,” Canyon coach Rebekah Anderson said.
Cook also made plenty of history, and for her efforts, is The Register’s Orange County girls flag football player of the year.
Orange Lutheran quarterback Makena Cook looks to pass the ball against Santa Margarita in a flag football game in Orange on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran quarterback Makena Cook, left, gains yardage against Canyon in the CIF-SS Division 1 girls flag football semifinals in Orange on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran quarterback Makena Cook throws the ball during a 20-18 win over Newport Harbor in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship game on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran girls flag football player of the year Makena Cook in Orange, CA, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Show Caption1 of 4Orange Lutheran quarterback Makena Cook looks to pass the ball against Santa Margarita in a flag football game in Orange on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
ExpandThe sophomore completed 74 percent of her passes for 6,611 yards and 97 touchdowns to lead the Lancers (23-2) to the Division 1 title in the inaugural CIF Southern Section playoffs.
Cook twice tossed six touchdowns in a game but still saved some of her best play for a national showdown against Newport Harbor in the section championship.
In a clash of the top two ranked teams in the nation for the fall season, Cook completed 25 of 32 passes (78 percent) for 243 yards and three touchdowns to lead the then-No. 1 Lancers past the No. 2 Sailors 20-18 in early November.
“She’s incredible,” Newport Harbor coach Jason Guyser said of Cook, who was selected the inaugural Division 1 player of the year. “She’s the best quarterback in the country.”
Cook, the co-MVP of the Trinity League, displayed arguably the strongest arm in the region while throwing deep to receivers such as Julia Oberholtzer, Josie Anderson and Capri Cuneo.
She fired tight spirals of 30 yards with ease and unleashed other passes that covered 45 or 50 yards.
Cook also led Orange Lutheran in rushing. Her agility and speed from playing forward in soccer helped her gain 406 yards and score three TDs.
But Cook’s passion and poise stood out as much as her athleticism. She balanced her high-energy play and celebrations with the poise to bounce back from a defensive stand or mistake.
“I just trust and believe in every single one of my receivers,” she said after the Division 1 final. “I trust in their hands. I know that they’re going to get open, so I just got to find them.”
Cook did just that, and Orange Lutheran discovered a new frontier.
Kristen Sherman, girls flag football coach of the year, in Orange, CA, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)COACH OF THE YEAR
Kristen Sherman, Orange Lutheran
Kristen Sherman proved to be a quick study and resilient leader.
In her second season as Orange Lutheran’s girls flag football coach, she guided the Lancers to the Division 1 championship in the inaugural season of the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
“(I) didn’t feel equipped in the first place but it’s been a really cool 18 months of just learning a ton and really throwing myself into,” said Sherman, The Register’s O.C. coach of the year. “Whatever I do, I want to do well.”
Sherman, the former tennis coach at Orange Lutheran, has been around football plenty as the wife of Orange Lutheran football coach Rod Sherman. She also has coached sports performance.
This season, Orange Lutheran’s moves included inserting Darren Kelso as the new offensive coordinator. He also coaches boys golf.
While the Lancers anticipated a big season from Cook, they faced adversity early with a season-ending injury to standout sophomore receiver Keylee Baker. They also lost consecutive games late in the regular season after starting 18-0.
But Sherman found positives from the defeats to keep Orange Lutheran focused on its ultimate goal: the Division 1 crown.
“We always knew the goal was to play our best football at the end of the season,” she said. “It was good to have some weaknesses exposed and be able to correct those and play our best football in November.”
ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Makena Cook, Orange Lutheran, So. (Player of the year)
QB: Maia Helmar, Newport Harbor, Sr.
The Sunset League MVP and All-CIF player led the Sailors to a runner-up finish in Division 1.
QB: Madi Lam, Santa Margarita, Jr.
The All-CIF and All-Trinity League pick passed for more than 4,600 yards and 70 TDs and played linebacker.
C: Morgan Cruz, Beckman, Sr.
In 26 games, the All-CIF selection had 253 receptions for 2,593 yards and 21 TDs.
WR: Josie Anderson, Orange Lutheran, So.
The All-CIF wide receiver led the Division 1 champion with 119 receptions for 1,379 yards and 14 TDs.
WR: Sophia Davies, El Toro, So.
The speedy All-CIF pick hauled in 163 receptions for 1,744 yards and 33 TDs.
WR: Cooper Dick, Newport Harbor, Jr.
The All-CIF selection specialized on high-point catches and earned MVP honors at the El Toro tournament.
WR: Shea Gonzalez, JSerra, Sr.
The Trinity League’s co-MVP and All-CIF selection collected 160 receptions for 1,720 yards and 32 TDs.
WR: Taylor Savage, Huntington Beach, Jr.
The All-CIF selection had 107 catches for 1,491 yards and 15 TDs.
All-Purpose: Alexa Rokos, Corona del Mar, Sr.
The All-CIF pick passed for 58 touchdowns, rushed for 22 and recorded 176 flag pulls as a linebacker.
DEFENSE
NG: Karina Bier, El Dorado, Sr.
Bier excelled from the nose guard spot and posted 167 flag pulls.
LB: Audrey Burns, Newport Harbor, Sr.
The All-CIF selection played linebacker and defensive back for the Sunset League champion.
LB: Julia Oberholtzer, Orange Lutheran, Jr.
The All-CIF selection led the Lancers’ defense with 114 flag pulls and added 76 receptions for 1,208 yards and 20 TDs.
DB: Riley Crooks, Edison, Sr.
The multi-sport standout and All-CIF selection racked up more than 43 interceptions to help the Chargers reach the Division 2 semifinals.
DB: Liana Hwang, Sonora, Jr.
Hwang collected 16 interceptions, including six returned for TDs, and added 91 receptions for more than 1,500 yads and 24 TDs.
DB: Natalie Keith, Northwood, Jr.
The defensive back/quarterback was selected the CIF-SS Division 2 player of the year for the champion Timberwolves.
DB: Emma Ortiz, Trabuco Hills, Jr.
The All-CIF selection racked up 78 flag pulls and eight interceptions to go along with 157 receptions for 2,006 yards and 32 TDs.
ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Ella Feldhaus, Canyon, Jr.
QB: Roxie Shaia, Huntington Beach, So.
C: Lelani Lito, Valencia, Sr.
WR: Zoey Ceman, Woodbridge, Sr.
WR: Caroline Hicks, Canyon, Jr.
WR: Sydney Hogancamp, San Juan Hills, Sr.
WR: Mia LaRosa, Troy, Sr.
WR: Alaina Villa, Aliso Niguel, Sr.
All-Purpose: Kailey Tilson, Cypress, Fr.
DEFENSE
Rush: Alia Pasternak, Huntington Beach, Sr.
LB: Jane Hewitt, Crean Lutheran, Sr.
LB: Tenley Hill, San Clemente, Sr.
DB: Kennedy Bowe, Los Alamitos, Sr.
DB: Ellie Frazier, Esperanza, Jr.
DB: Isabelle Morris, Corona del Mar, Sr.
DB: Mia Psarras, Mission Viejo, Jr.
DB: Claudia Solis, Segerstrom, Sr.
RELATED: 2023 All-County girls flag football
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