The562’s coverage of girls’ flag football is sponsored by the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Los Angeles Chargers hosted their second annual girls’ flag football all-star game on Monday morning at Sofi Stadium, where several Long Beach representatives were selected to participate.
Lakewood coach Leilani Utupo was nominated as head coach for the Los Angeles team, where she coached players Aaya Mclyn (Long Beach Poly), Devoni Ray (Lakewood), and Nyemah King (Lakewood) who were each nominated by the Chargers.
“It was a dream, I was happy to be a part of this,” said Mclyn, who concluded a dominant season with her final game at Sofi Stadium. “The Chargers are a great organization and I love how they include everybody for flag football. They’re paving the way for all these girls.”
Mclyn was an offensive swissarmy knife for Poly in her senior year, where she racked up 1618 total passing yards, 467 total rushing yards, and 821 total receiving yards. She led her team in both rushing and receiving categories and racked up 46 total touchdowns to help the Jackrabbits win their second Moore League championship.
“This just felt awesome. I’m proud to be here and represent Poly on my chest,” she said. “I just wanted everybody to know that Poly is the home of scholars and champions.”
Lakewood was well represented with seniors Ray and King, who helped lead the Lancers to their first two playoff wins in the first year of CIF flag football playoffs. They also got to share one last game with Lakewood coach Utupo, who reflected after the all-star game about representing Long Beach at Sofi Stadium.
“We out here, that’s really what it’s about. I wanted more than anything to keep Long Beach, our city, on the map,” said Utupo. “I invited other Moore League coaches out here because even though we compete during the season we’re all still family. Five miles one way five miles the other way. So you’ll always know who the Long Beach community is.”
“It was cool to get to play one more out there. It was our last game on the biggest field,” added Ray. “It’s the best way to go out. It means a lot to me to be chosen to play. I was injured last year so it means a lot that I was able to come back in my senior year and do well.”
The three nominated players are each dual sport athletes and picked up flag football as an offseason sport. Mclyn, a Washington State soccer commit, is gearing up for her senior season this winter where she plans to also play varsity basketball for Poly. Ray and King are both preparing for their basketball seasons at Lakewood.
“It’s fun being out there and it’s an honor because it’s not my main sport,” said King. “I play basketball so it’s an honor to be able to translate basketball to football and also play well.”
