Seminole Ridge Claims Second Consecutive Class 3A Flag Football Title
Quarterback Aubrey Fogel and player of the game Ava Dowdell lead Seminole Ridge past the No. 12 ranked St. Thomas Aquinas, securing back-to-back state championships.
Seminole Ridge flag football has secured its second consecutive Class 3A state championship, defeating St. Thomas Aquinas 27-19 in the season finale. The victory completes a 20-2 campaign for the Hawks, who entered the title game as the nation’s No. 1 overall ranked team facing the No. 12 ranked St. Thomas Aquinas. The win follows a dominant 26-2 blowout victory over Chiles in the previous year’s final, where the Hawks finished with a 17-2 record.
Quarterback Aubrey Fogel orchestrated the offensive attack, throwing for 291 yards and four touchdowns. Her performance was complemented by Ava Dowdell, who was named player of the game. Dowdell recorded 11 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown, while also contributing a defensive interception. Head coach Scott O’Hara praised Dowdell’s versatility, noting her role as a lockdown defender and offensive threat who stepped up when required.
The Hawks had to adapt quickly to the absence of leading receiver Avaree Brant, who missed the championship due to a hamstring injury sustained the night before. Kylin Chieffalo, daughter of football coach Chad Chieffalo, filled the void, recording four catches and two scores, including the team’s first touchdown. O’Hara highlighted the squad’s depth, stating that while Brant cheered from the sideline, other players successfully stepped into their roles.
Defensively, the team maintained pressure through multiple contributors. Angelina Romanski and Chachi Saunders both recorded interceptions, with Romanski leading the unit with seven flag pulls. O’Hara described the match as a back-and-forth battle where possession proved critical, noting that St. Thomas Aquinas was well-prepared and talented. The Hawks managed to hold off the opposition’s comeback attempts to secure the win.
The championship marks a successful transition for the program after replacing graduating seniors from the previous year’s title squad. O’Hara noted that the team experienced some early-season losses and hiccups but refocused during the state series. He challenged the players to establish their own identity separate from the previous year’s success, emphasizing that the team treated the final as a business trip until the celebration.
