Meet the 2026 inaugural Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Flag Football team
Flag football in Mississippi has wrapped up its second season as a sponsored sport and the Coast further entrenched its early dominance.
George County and St. Martin were once again the final two teams remaining of more than 40 statewide. The Rebels got their revenge and defeated the reigning champion Yellow Jackets in the state title game on the final play.
The Rebels earn Player of the Year and Coach of the Year honors while a Pascagoula standout takes home the Fans’ Choice Player of the Year.
Here’s the first-ever All-South Mississippi Flag Football Team.
Sun Herald Player of the Year
Lani McDoniel, George County
The senior starred in every phase of the game while leading the Lady Rebels to a championship. As a quarterback, she threw for 650 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 350 more yards and another score.
McDoniel also played safety, where she recorded 17 flag pulls, defended nine passes and led the team with three interceptions. She also returned punts, for good measure. McDoniel is heading to Pearl River C.C. on a volleyball scholarship.
Fans’ Choice Player of the Year
Whitney Matthews, Pascagoula
Matthews was a two-way standout for the region champion Panthers. She led the team in tackles for loss and was a dynamic slot receiver who impacted the game as a pass-catcher, blocker and a runner.
The senior led the voting with 40 percent of the ballot. She paced Biloxi’s Aniya Thames and McDoniel.
Coach of the Year
Lane Scott, George County
The Rebels have had the highest-scoring flag football team in the state across the first two seasons of the sport and they’ve got a ring to show for it, now.
George County got its payback after finishing runner-ups in the pilot season to St. Martin and defeated the Yellow Jackets in this year’s state championship game, 12-6. The Lady Rebels ended the season as a nationally ranked program.
Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Flag Football Team
Biloxi
- Madyson Barnwell
- Taylor Hannah
- Arianna Prosise
- Aniya Thames
- Madison Price
D’Iberville
- Kay Kay Lett
East Central
- Olivia Tanner
- Savannah Hoak
- Lucy Myrick
Gautier
- Alexis Rogers
- Zoey Griffin
- Amyria Triplett
- Alaina Trepagnier
- Lillian Domingues
George County
- Lani McDoniel
- Delani McNair
- Ava Hall
- Mallory Evans
- Olivia Tanner
Harrison Central
- Madison McNair
- Nakyra Durr
Pascagoula
- Whitney Matthews
- Asante Dawson
- Yazmine Black
- Genesis Gonzalez
- Jill Wax
Picayune
- Rhyen Goss
- Devin Adkins
- Kimora Banks
- Sofia Raspberry
St. Martin
- Bri Sanders
- Dalayzia Mayes
- Emma Chester
- D’Kennedi Jenkins
- Olivia Imanzor
Vancleave
- Jillian Woods
- Lauren Bailey
- Jordyn Hoda
- Kenzie Falgo
West Harrison
- Michelle Jackson
- Desiree Lacey
- Jazaya Craighead
- Sydnei Barber
