USA FOOTBALL U.S. JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM ALUMNI COMPETE AT UNDER ARMOUR NEXT ALL-AMERICA GAME WEEK

U.S. Junior National Team Athletes Compete in the Inaugural  Under Armour Next All-America Girls’ Flag Football Game 

ORLANDO, FLA. – Several of USA Football’s U.S. 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team alumni competed in the Under Armour Next All-America Game Week in Orlando. Team Unstoppable defeated Team Icon 20-13 in the first-ever UA Next All-America Girl’s Flag Football Game on Jan. 3.  

Columbus (Ga.) High School star and 2024 U.S. National Team alumni Alexandria Lofton earned MVP honors in the game. Click here for images of Lofton (No. 4) at Under Armour’s Next All-America Game Week. Please credit Under Armour for any images that are used.  

Under Armour is the Official and Exclusive Uniform, Apparel, and Footwear Partner of USA Football, including the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams. USA Football and Under Armour share a commitment to growing the sport of football and providing opportunities for women and girls. 

USA Football is the governing body of American Football in the United States and selects, trains and leads the U.S. National Teams in tackle and flag football disciplines for events like the 2028 Olympics and the annual Junior International Cup.  

The U.S. 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team defeated Panama 27-7 in the gold medal game this past summer’s Junior International Cup in Los Angeles, which also featured teams from Canada, Japan and Mexico. Samaya Taylor-Jenkins, who played on Team Icon, was MVP of the gold medal game and the 17U girls division.  

U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Saaid Mortazavi and assistant coach MK Bula and 17U and 15U Junior Girls’ National Team head coaches Matthew Hernandez and Willy Perez served on the coaching staffs for the UA Next All-America Girl’s Flag Football Game. Mortazavi and Bula recently led the U.S. Women’s National Team to its third consecutive IFAF Flag Football World Championship. 

"USA Football and Under Armour share a commitment to growing the game of football across all disciplines, including tackle and flag," said USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck. "Under Armour's investment in girls and women's flag is bolstering the development of athletes from the grassroots to truly elite levels and is critical in helping us uphold our gold medal standard as we build towards the 2028 Summer Olympics. This game brings together some of the best up-and-coming girls flag football players in the country. It's a great opportunity for them to showcase their skills in front of our U.S. National Team scouts and learn from our World Champion U.S. National Team coaches and athletes." 

Three U.S. National Team alumni who competed in the UA Next All-America Girl’s Flag Football Game were nominated by NFL clubs for the Maxwell Football Club’s inaugural Girls National Flag Football Player of the Year award. The winner will be determined in January before being presented with the award at the 88th Maxwell Awards on Friday, March 14 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. 

Below is a list of all U.S. Junior National Team alumni who participated in the UA Next All-America Girl’s Flag Football Game: 

Madison Coger; Campo Verde High School; Gilbert, Ariz.; Team Icon 

• 2024 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team 

Sophie Guitron; Mira Costa High School; Manhattan Beach, Calif.; Team Icon 

• 2024 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team 

Maia Helmar; Newport Harbor High School; Newport Beach, Calif.; Team Unstoppable 

• 2024 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team 

• Chargers nominee for the 2024 Girls National Flag Football Player of the Year award 

Alexandria Lofton; Columbus High School; Columbus, Ga.; Team Unstoppable 

• 2024 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team 

• 2024 UA Next All-America Girl’s Flag Football Game MVP 

• Falcons nominee for the 2024 Girls National Flag Football Player of the Year award 

Landri Smit; Rouse High School; Leander, Texas; Team Unstoppable 

• 2024 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team 

Samaya Taylor-Jenkins; Hamilton High School; Chandler, Ariz.; Team Icon 

• 2024 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team 

• 2024 Junior International Cup 17U Girls’ Division MVP 

• Cardinals nominee for the 2024 Girls National Flag Football Player of the Year award 

About USA Football: USA Football is the governing body of American Football in the United States. As a Recognized Sports Organization of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football, USA Football selects, trains and leads the U.S. National Teams 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.