Section V flag football players secure state honours in inaugural NYSSA selections
Twenty-nine players from New York’s Section V were recognised by the New York State Sportswriters Association for the 2025 season, with Hornell’s Selena Maldonado named first-team all-state in Class C.
The New York State Sportswriters Association has released its inaugural all-state flag football teams for the 2025 season, marking a formal expansion of recognition for the sport within New York high schools. The selections highlight a growing presence for Section V schools, with seven players from the region named to the first team alone, an increase from the previous year. In total, 29 players from Section V schools received all-state honours across Classes A, B, and C.
Hornell receiver Selena Maldonado was named to the first team in Class C, capping a dominant season where she recorded 20 touchdown receptions, six rushing touchdowns, and one touchdown pass. Defensively, Maldonado contributed five interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Her performance was instrumental in Hornell finishing the season with a 14-1 record and securing the Section V title in the sport’s inaugural year for the section.
Hornell quarterback Raegan Evingham also received state-level recognition, earning a spot on the all-state second team. The Hornell program’s success was mirrored by Canisteo-Greenwood, where two players were acknowledged in Class C. Linebacker Kora Button was named to the third team, while utility player Paris May received fourth-team honours.
The broader state selections recognised excellence across multiple classes. Samantha Heyman of Half Hollow Hills in Section XI was named Player of the Year in Class C, while Gina Iannuzzi of MacArthur in Section VIII took the award in Class B. Ellie Edwards of Pioneer in Section VI was named Player of the Year in Class A.
Other notable Section V recognitions included Sophia Puccia of Penfield and Emma Rascoe of Webster Schroeder, both named to the first team in their respective classes. The full list of honours underscores the competitive depth of high school flag football in New York, with players from schools such as Hilton, Churchville-Chili, and Eastridge also receiving second through fifth-team selections.
The reporting on these selections was originally published by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, with James Johnson providing coverage of the high school sports landscape in the region. Johnson, a full-time journalist since 1996, has been a two-time winner of the Rochester Press-Radio Club's Sports Media Excellence Award.
