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Orange Lutheran High School

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Flag football runner

Flag Football Jenelyn Cunningham Russo ‘88

2025 Flag Football Season Preview

As the first ever CIF-SS Division 1 champion in flag football, Orange Lutheran is coming off of a historic season, both for the school and the sport. And while the Lancers are poised to continue making their mark, head coach Kristen Sherman is approaching this season as a clean slate.
 
"Although we have a very good group of returners, we're going to be facing new competition and putting new combinations of girls on the field," says Sherman, who earned 2024 Orange County coach of the year honors. "It's good for the girls to know that they can step on the field with anyone. But they've also got to get their heads down and get to work because everyone around them is constantly improving."
 
Some of those returners who will continue to make an impact for the Lancers include Trinity League Defensive Player of the Year senior Julia Oberholtzer, 1st Team All-CIF honoree junior Josie Anderson and junior quarterback Makena Cook, who is the reigning Trinity League Co-MVP, Orange County Player of the Year and CIF-SS Division 1 Player of the Year.
 
Also returning this season is the rushing combination of sophomores Anna Paquette and Isabelle Thomas. Senior captain Ruby Fuamatu returns as well, leading the varsity squad from her spot at center.
 
"In general, we returned a lot of girls that had a lot of success last year, and we believe they'll have continued success this year," says Sherman.
 
Reflective of the rise in popularity of flag football across the country, OLu is now fielding three full teams – varsity, JV and frosh/soph – with 55 athletes across the program, including several who are multi-sport athletes.
 
"It's indicative of the growth in flag football at large that so many girls are wanting to play," says Sherman.
 
The Lancers already accomplished one of their goals for the season when they captured their second straight Chargers Invitational title with a triple overtime win over Dos Pueblos 23-21. Freshman wide receiver Happy Dubois was named MVP of the championship game. As the current #1 ranked team in Orange County, OLu hopes to continue to set the standard for the sport.
 
"The goal every year is to win or be competing for a League championship, and then just be playing our best football as we head into the playoffs," says Sherman.
 
Senior Night will take place on September 4 when OLu hosts Northwood, and with challenging Trinity League contests still ahead, Sherman encourages fans to come out and support this talented group of Lancers.
 
"What I'm most looking forward to is watching these girls support each other, cheer for each other and push each other every day to get better," says Sherman. "These girls are super impressive, they work really hard and they put on a show when they're on the field."
 
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Players Mentioned

Julia Oberholtzer

#24 Julia Oberholtzer

Sophomore
Ruby Fuamatu

#21 Ruby Fuamatu

Junior
Isabelle Thomas

#33 Isabelle Thomas

Freshman
Josie Anderson

Josie Anderson

Junior
Makena Cook

Makena Cook

Junior
Anna Paquette

Anna Paquette

Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Julia Oberholtzer

#24 Julia Oberholtzer

Sophomore
Ruby Fuamatu

#21 Ruby Fuamatu

Junior
Isabelle Thomas

#33 Isabelle Thomas

Freshman
Josie Anderson

Josie Anderson

Junior
Makena Cook

Makena Cook

Junior
Anna Paquette

Anna Paquette

Sophomore