Colorado High Schoolers Shine at NFL Flag Girls Showcase

Mountain Vista QB Ariana Akey and Legend's Lucy Thompson represent Colorado at national event.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 9:31pm

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The Denver Broncos may have missed the Super Bowl, but Colorado was still represented on one of football's biggest stages. Mountain Vista High School senior quarterback Ariana Akey and Legend High School's Lucy Thompson were selected to compete in the NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase, part of the Pro Bowl Games. Akey helped lead the AFC to a 7-6 victory over the NFC, drawing national attention despite feeling she could have played better. The 5-foot-4 quarterback has emerged as one of Colorado's top flag football players, leading Mountain Vista to back-to-back state championships.

Why it matters

The NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase provides a national platform to showcase the growth of girls' flag football, which has been rapidly expanding across the country. Akey and Thompson's selection highlights Colorado's strong talent pool and the state's commitment to developing the sport at the high school level.

The details

Akey and Thompson were two of 32 top flag football players from across the country selected to compete in the showcase. Akey helped lead the AFC to victory, though she felt the team could have scored more points. The 5-foot-4 quarterback has been playing flag football since her twin brother got her into the sport, and she has since emerged as one of Colorado's top players, leading Mountain Vista to back-to-back state titles.

  • The NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase took place on Tuesday, February 4, 2026.
  • Ariana Akey has led Mountain Vista High School to back-to-back Class 5A state championships.

The players

Ariana Akey

A senior quarterback at Mountain Vista High School in Colorado, Akey was selected to compete in the NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase after leading her team to back-to-back state championships.

Lucy Thompson

A player from Legend High School in Colorado, Thompson was also selected to compete in the NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase, representing the state alongside Ariana Akey.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't think I played great, to be honest with you. I think we could have put up probably a couple more points. We got inside the five and didn't ever convert.”

— Ariana Akey, Mountain Vista High School senior quarterback (CBS News)

“When you go out on the field, it just comes down to making plays and being an athlete.”

— Ariana Akey, Mountain Vista High School senior quarterback (CBS News)

“They're the next generation that's going to bring this sport up. We've come a long way, but there's still so much more to go, and that rests on their shoulders.”

— Ariana Akey, Mountain Vista High School senior quarterback (CBS News)

What’s next

Akey has received multiple college offers but has not yet committed to a school. She hopes to continue playing flag football at the next level and inspire the next generation of girls entering the sport.

The takeaway

The selection of Ariana Akey and Lucy Thompson to the NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase highlights Colorado's commitment to developing girls' flag football and the state's strong talent pool. Their participation on the national stage showcases the growth of the sport and the potential for the next generation of female athletes to make their mark.