CARA NEJAK NAMED USA FOOTBALL & MAXPREPS GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL FLAG FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

WILLOUGHBY, OHIO — May 8, 2025 — South High School sophomore wide receiver and defensive back Cara Nejak is the USA Football & MaxPreps Girls High School Flag Football Player of the Week for April 28 – May 4. Nejak led the South Rebels to a 4-0 record during the week, outscoring opponents 103-40 and advancing to an 11-1 overall record.  

South High School defeated the Garfield Heights Bulldogs, Menton Cardinals, North Rangers and Wickliffe Blue Devils. Nejak made 24 receptions for 179 yards and six touchdowns as a wide receiver and totaled 12 flag pulls, three pass breakups and an interception on defense. Her best showing was a dominant three-touchdown performance against the North Rangers.  

Nejak currently leads South High School in receptions, receiving touchdowns, flag pulls and pass breakups.  

As the Player of the Week, Nejak will receive a complimentary opportunity to be further evaluated through USA Football’s National Team Development Program at a Talent ID Camp in the fall. The development program is part of the premier pathway to USA Football’s U.S. National Teams, which represent our country in international competitions such as World Championships and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Athletes who attend the National Team Development Program’s Talent ID Camp are eligible to receive invitations to future U.S. National Teams Trials. 

As the football’s official National Governing Body, USA Football oversees all aspects of American football in the U.S. This includes selecting, training and leading the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams in both tackle and flag football for international competitions, including the 2028 Olympics. USA Football partnered with MaxPreps to start the Girls High School Flag Football Player of the Week award and continue to bring attention to the exploding popularity of flag football throughout the country.  

USA Football and MaxPreps will announce award winners during the fall and spring high school girls’ flag football seasons based on game statistics entered by coaches into MaxPreps.  

This award celebrates the achievements of the athletes who are helping to drive flag football at the high school level. USA Football research shows more than 1.7 million athletes ages 6-17 played the sport in 2024, representing a 37% increase in participation over the past decade. Much of that growth is being driven by girls and women. Participation among girls ages 6-12 increased by approximately 283% from 2015 to 2024. 

Opportunities for girls and women to play flag football competitively for high school and college programs are increasing. Fifteen states sanction girls’ flag football as a varsity sport for current or future seasons. Women’s flag football at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level features college scholarships and a national championship. 

WR/DB CARA NEJAK, SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL (WILLOUGHBY, OHIO)  

• Nejak caught ten passes for three touchdowns and 95 out of South’s 140 yards through the air in a 29-12 win against the North Rangers.  

• Nejak caught both of South’s touchdowns in a 12-6 win against the Mentor Cardinals. She also intercepted a pass in the game.  

• Nejak led South with seven receptions in a 30-16 win against the Wickliffe Blue Devils.  

SPRING 2025 FLAG FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK WINNERS   

WEEK 1 – JILLIAN TRUAX, SPRUCE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL, PORT ORANGE, FLA. 

WEEK 2 – AISHAT HASSAN, CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, NEWARK, N.J. 

WEEK 3 – TRINITY RYAN, LAVERGNE HIGH SCHOOL, LA VERGNE, TENN. 

WEEK 4 – ELLIE GRISSOM, VAN BUREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, SPENCER, TENN. 

FALL 2024 FLAG FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK WINNERS   

WEEK 1 – DEJA SMITH, ST. MARY’S ACADEMY, INGLEWOOD, CALIF. 

WEEK 2 – KATIA SLAMA, KING CITY HIGH SCHOOL, KING CITY, CALIF. 

WEEK 3 – BREANA SAUNDERS, MILLENNIUM HIGH SCHOOL, GOODYEAR, ARIZ. 

WEEK 4 – BREN DAVID, MILPITAS HIGH SCHOOL, MILPITAS, CALIF. 

WEEK 5 – VICTORY BRAGG, SAINT MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL, STOCKTON, CALIF. 

WEEK 6 – SERENITY HICKMAN, COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL, COLUMBUS, GA. 

WEEK 7 – JULISSA ISLAS, ALHAMBRA HIGH SCHOOL, MARTINEZ, CALIF. 

About USA Football: USA Football is the National Governing Body (NGB) for American Football in the United States and the sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), the international governing body for the sport of American football. USA Football selects, trains and leads Team USA in tackle and flag football disciplines, while delivering world-class football development resources, sport standards and competitive opportunities to empower athletes at every level. USA Football is committed to ensuring every athlete has access to develop and compete in the game through safer, inclusive and innovative pathways. For more information, visit usafootball.com. 

About MaxPreps: MaxPreps is the nation’s leading high school sports destination, offering fans the most comprehensive coverage with the latest scores, statistics, news, rankings, photos, and more. MaxPreps aspires to cover every high school team, game and player by partnering with more than 100,000 coaches throughout the country. A PlayOn Sports property, MaxPreps was founded in August 2002. For more information about MaxPreps, please visit www.maxpreps.com.