Chargers Women's History Month | Los Angeles Chargers - chargers.com
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are proud to spotlight the athletes shaping the present and future of girls flag football. From nationally recognized standouts who have helped elevate the game to new heights to rising stars already making their mark on the biggest stages, these young women represent excellence, leadership, and the continued growth of the sport. Their achievements go far beyond wins and awards. They are building programs, breaking barriers, inspiring the next generation, and proving that the future of football is brighter than ever.
Faces of the Game
Makena Cook is widely regarded as one of the top high school girls flag football players in the nation. During her historic 2025 junior season, she threw for 7,083 yards and 112 touchdowns, leading her team to a 24–3 record and a No. 2 national ranking. Ranked the No. 2 player in the country by MaxPreps and named California Junior of the Year, Makena continues to set the standard at quarterback.
Her accolades include MVP honors at the Under Armour All-America Game and California Player of the Year recognition. Makena also captained the USA Junior National Team to back-to-back gold medals in 2023 and 2024, earning MVP honors, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA as a Scholar Athlete.
Makena also made history as the first athlete to receive a Division I women’s flag football scholarship offer from the University of Nebraska. As the quarterback for the Chargers-sponsored Conquer Chargers program, she continues to inspire the next generation of girls in flag football.
Her accolades include MVP honors at the Under Armour All-America Game and California Player of the Year recognition. Makena also captained the USA Junior National Team to back-to-back gold medals in 2023 and 2024, earning MVP honors, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA as a Scholar Athlete.
Makena also made history as the first athlete to receive a Division I women’s flag football scholarship offer from the University of Nebraska. As the quarterback for the Chargers-sponsored Conquer Chargers program, she continues to inspire the next generation of girls in flag football.
Sophie Guitron’s journey in girls flag football is defined by leadership and resilience. As a freshman at Mira Costa High School, she helped establish the school’s girls flag football program in partnership with the Los Angeles Chargers, helping build one of the top programs in the region.
In 2024, Sophie led Mira Costa to a Bay League title and earned League MVP honors, while also being named the Daily Breeze Player of the Year and earning All-CIF Southern Section Division 2 recognition. She also competed in the inaugural Under Armour Next All-America Girls Flag Football Game.
Sophie represented the United States on the 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team at the 2024 Junior International Cup, winning a gold medal. She later received the 2024 NFL Latino Youth Honors award at NFL Honors. After starring with the Chargers-sponsored Conquer Chargers team, Sophie is continuing her academic and athletic career at Keiser University on a flag football scholarship.
In 2024, Sophie led Mira Costa to a Bay League title and earned League MVP honors, while also being named the Daily Breeze Player of the Year and earning All-CIF Southern Section Division 2 recognition. She also competed in the inaugural Under Armour Next All-America Girls Flag Football Game.
Sophie represented the United States on the 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team at the 2024 Junior International Cup, winning a gold medal. She later received the 2024 NFL Latino Youth Honors award at NFL Honors. After starring with the Chargers-sponsored Conquer Chargers team, Sophie is continuing her academic and athletic career at Keiser University on a flag football scholarship.
Maia Helmar has played a key role in the growth of girls flag football in California. Before the sport was officially sanctioned, she helped organize games between local high schools to showcase the demand for girls flag football. When it became a CIF-sanctioned sport in 2023, Maia helped launch the program at Newport Harbor High School.
In the program’s first sanctioned season, she led Newport Harbor to an undefeated record and a No. 1 national ranking while starring at both quarterback and defensive back. She later helped guide the team to a berth in the first-ever CIF Division 1 Championship game and was nominated for National Flag Football High School Player of the Year.
Maia has also been a leader in the Chargers-sponsored Conquer Chargers program, helping the team reach the NFL Flag All-32 Tournament championship game in 2023 and appearing on ESPN in 2024. Now attending Irvine Valley College, Maia continues to be a leader and advocate for the growth of girls flag football.
In the program’s first sanctioned season, she led Newport Harbor to an undefeated record and a No. 1 national ranking while starring at both quarterback and defensive back. She later helped guide the team to a berth in the first-ever CIF Division 1 Championship game and was nominated for National Flag Football High School Player of the Year.
Maia has also been a leader in the Chargers-sponsored Conquer Chargers program, helping the team reach the NFL Flag All-32 Tournament championship game in 2023 and appearing on ESPN in 2024. Now attending Irvine Valley College, Maia continues to be a leader and advocate for the growth of girls flag football.
Next Up
Ava Irwin is quickly building a championship résumé at a young age. A member of the 2025 15U National Team, she earned CIF Division 1 Player of the Year, Orange County Player of the Year, and MaxPreps Freshman of the Year honors after leading JSerra High School to a perfect 28–0 season and a national championship.
She also captured a 2024 title with The One National program and competes on the 14U Conquer Chargers team, the Los Angeles Chargers-sponsored girls flag football program, where she continues to develop against elite competition.
Athletic excellence runs in the family. Ava is the younger sister of NFL wide receiver Trenton Irwin, who has played for the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets. As she continues to rise in the sport, Ava is carving out a legacy of her own..
She also captured a 2024 title with The One National program and competes on the 14U Conquer Chargers team, the Los Angeles Chargers-sponsored girls flag football program, where she continues to develop against elite competition.
Athletic excellence runs in the family. Ava is the younger sister of NFL wide receiver Trenton Irwin, who has played for the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets. As she continues to rise in the sport, Ava is carving out a legacy of her own..
Angelina “Happy” Dubois is emerging as one of the most exciting young players in girls flag football. A member of the 2025 15U National Team with an invitation to the 17U National Team for 2026, Happy continues to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Her honors include Select Bowl 2025 recognition, Oakley Alliance All-Tournament Team honors, a spot on the 2025 California All-State MaxPreps Team, and All-CIF Division 1 recognition. She also competes on the 14U Conquer Chargers team, part of the Chargers-sponsored girls flag football program.
Known for her energy and playmaking ability, Happy has quickly become a dynamic presence on the field and one of the sport’s rising stars.
Her honors include Select Bowl 2025 recognition, Oakley Alliance All-Tournament Team honors, a spot on the 2025 California All-State MaxPreps Team, and All-CIF Division 1 recognition. She also competes on the 14U Conquer Chargers team, part of the Chargers-sponsored girls flag football program.
Known for her energy and playmaking ability, Happy has quickly become a dynamic presence on the field and one of the sport’s rising stars.
Kelsey Lee is emerging as one of the brightest young talents in the girls flag football pipeline. A 2026 15U Junior National Team invitee, she has consistently stood out at the national level.
Kelsey has represented USA Football on the Select Team at both the 12U and 14U levels and earned back-to-back USA Football Talent ID Camp MVP honors in 2025 and 2026. She also competes on the 12U Conquer Chargers team, the Los Angeles Chargers-sponsored girls flag football program.
Her résumé already includes MVP honors at the 2025 Hard Count San Diego National Championships and the 2025 Showdown Series West Coast Championships, highlighting her growing reputation as one of the next elite players in the sport.
Kelsey has represented USA Football on the Select Team at both the 12U and 14U levels and earned back-to-back USA Football Talent ID Camp MVP honors in 2025 and 2026. She also competes on the 12U Conquer Chargers team, the Los Angeles Chargers-sponsored girls flag football program.
Her résumé already includes MVP honors at the 2025 Hard Count San Diego National Championships and the 2025 Showdown Series West Coast Championships, highlighting her growing reputation as one of the next elite players in the sport.
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