On February 12, 2026, Sierra Vista Flag Football played head-to-head in their first state championship against the Green Valley (GV) Gators, sending them back to the marsh 44-7, at the Las Vegas Allegiant Stadium. Led by Head Coach Daniel Bagwell, Head Defense Coordinator Isosua Maika, and Former NFL wide receiver Coach Fields, the Flag Football girls kicked off the first half with a 60-yard touchdown scored by Mary-Agnes (Yauie) Kahawaii Pula, offensively leading the game 6-0. Shortly after, wide receiver Rylei Mazzola ran a nearly 55-yard touchdown, widening the gap to 12-0. Responding to the threatening thunder brought by the Mountain Lions, the GV Gators scored a touchdown, followed by an extra point conversion, nearly closing the gap to 12-7. Determined to win, the Mountain Lions concluded the first half with a 25-7 lead, carrying them into halftime.
The Mountain Lions defended the endzone to begin the second half. Kenadie Carter started with a sack on Green Valley’s quarterback, sending the Gators back 5 yards. Shifting back to offense, quarterback Amaya Wusstig ran the ball for a 10-yard touchdown from the line of scrimmage, taking the score to 31-7. Following her running play, quarterback Wusstig scored yet another touchdown for the Lions, tallying the score to 37-7. Wusstig exclaims,”It felt great [knowing] I was leading my team to victory.” In the game’s final moments, Rylei Mazzola took Sierra Vista to the endzone with the final touchdown and extra point conversion, winning the game with 44-7.
Following the victory, officials rewarded Rylei Mazzola the Most Valuable Player (MVP) title after scoring touchdowns again and again versus the Gators. Head Coach Dan proudly states, “That’s just the Rylei we know… that’s her standard. To be recognized in the largest stage…she deserves it… that’s just her standard of work that we are used to.”
In addition to Rylei’s award, Daniel Bagwell deservedly earned the title Head Coach of the Year for leading the program in a 19-3 record and winning the most important game of the season. Coach Dan explains, “We’ve been working towards these goals for the last year, and every little step and every sacrifice made on the way was worth it.” He continues to establish, “Our path to the state championship was as well written as it could be…that’s just the expectation now.” Training for the 26-27 school season, the Sierra Vista Flag Football girls work to exceed this new standard.
