Florin Flag Football Media Day
August 1, 2024
The Florin Lady Panthers come into the inaugural season with optimism. They have an authentic football coach and players who have earned the right to compete for the first Greater Sacramento League Title.
The Lady Panthers will be led by Senior Estefania Ortiz. The speedy running back is a homerun threat at any time, showing a burst that is different. Coach Mike Harris believes Ortiz has the ability to be an All-Metro type player in Sacramento. Ortiz will also play linebacker rushing the quarterback.
Senior Estefania Ortiz |
Harris added, “the rusher position is an incredibly valuable position. If you can put pressure on the quarterback, it makes your defense better immediately.”
One of the best athletes on the team is Junior Zavanna Payne, a basketball player in the Winter. Zavanna has the best hands on the team and according to Harris is another All-League type of athlete. Payne will rarely leave the field as she will be the Panther starting Free Safety as well. Moreover, Payne is one of the best quarterbacks on the team.
Harris says, “It’s a good problem to have.”
Payne most likely will be a receiver if Junior captain Jayda Lewis can distribute the ball.
Lewis was a former cheerleader that thought it was better if cheerleaders cheered for her. Lewis has emerged as the starting quarterback and has worked extremely hard to learn the position. If Lewis can distribute the rock to Ortiz and Payne, the Panthers are going to be dangerous.
Junior Zavanna Payne |
Additional offensive threats include Sophomore Janiya Brister who will work at the Halfback and receiver position. Brister also has great hands and has shown to be a very dependable player for the Panthers.
Starting Senior Strong Safety, Erin Foster looks to be the leading candidate to play center as well.
“In conventional football, the center blocks,” Harris exclaimed. “ In flag football the center position is a valuable threat as a receiver.”
For Harris, Foster and Jazz Landers expect to get work at Center. Foster has hands and burst, Landers is smooth and fluid. Landers will see work at receiver and defensive back as well.
Senior captain, A’Yahna Phillips also a basketball player in the winter will play receiver and linebacker, bringing energy and confidence to the Lady Panthers.
Additional players contributing to the offense will be receivers Hazel Her, Ashley Magana and Emily Solis.
“We put in the work, but we could not have done it without the coaches”, Senior Captain Lamia Perkins said.
Junior Captain Jayda Lewis |
Lamia Perkins has provided senior leadership by leading by example. Lamia has a sister on the team named Aneesa, but all of the girls are her sisters.
Lamia will be a starter at Fullback and should get some additional playing time in the secondary.
Younger sister Aneesa has great hands and speed, is developing confidence and should be a player that contributes to the success of the Panthers moving forward.
Senior Linebacker Dean Preston will spell Lamia Perkins at running back, but will get most of her snaps at linebacker, bringing that physical toughness to the Panther Defense.
On the defense side of the ball, Junior Captain Kat Doonan will lead the defense as a linebacker and flag pulling aficionado.
Others contributing on the defensive side of the ball will be Blanca Garibay, Val Acgoaili, Paris Jones, Katelyn Chan, Naomi Belcher, sisters Kam and Kaylonie Davis and Archana Singh.
2024 Florin Panther Flag Football Team |
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