Arcadia Titans Girls Flag Football: A Young Team on the Rise
With a new season on the horizon, the Arcadia High School Girls Flag Football team is focused, motivated, and ready to rise. Head Coach Clifford Nafrada is leading a program committed to growth, adaptability, and competition—laying the foundation for a promising future.
Offseason Focus: Development & Adaptability
The Titans have made development and adaptability their offseason mantra. With returning players stepping into new roles and a wave of promising freshmen joining the team, the focus has been on refining fundamentals, elevating athleticism, and ensuring the team is prepared to compete on both sides of the ball.
Tournament Time: Gaining Reps & Building Chemistry
Arcadia is taking full advantage of the offseason calendar with a robust tournament schedule designed to foster both individual growth and team chemistry. Highlights include:
BILT Invitational – May 31 in Tempe
University of Arizona 7-on-7 Camp & Tournament – June 11 in Tucson
These events offer valuable in-game reps and serve as a proving ground for leadership, communication, and execution under pressure.
Roster Updates: New Faces & a Changing Leadership Core
The Titans are turning the page following the graduation of standout quarterback and team captain Payton Connelly, one of Arizona’s top players in 2024. Filling the leadership void will be a team-wide effort. On the coaching side, Grant Sardachuk has joined as the new Defensive Coordinator, bringing a fresh defensive vision and years of youth football experience to the program.
Players to Watch: Resilience and Rise
Several athletes have already begun to separate themselves this offseason:
Tristan Hillson (Senior ATH): Returning from a season-ending ankle injury, Hillson still led the Desert Sky Region in receiving last year. Her determination and elite talent make her a centerpiece for 2025.
Sophie Tautimes (Senior), Brooklyn Howerzyl (Freshman), Meadow Nelson (Freshman), and Shelby Scott (Newcomer): These athletes have been standout performers in workouts—consistently setting the tone in the weight room, on the track, and in field sessions.
Strength & Conditioning: Building Complete Athletes
This offseason marks the first structured strength and conditioning program for many players—and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. With a blend of weight training, agility work, and track-based speed drills, the Titans are building a faster, more explosive team identity.
Nutrition Awareness: Fueling for Performance
While there isn’t a formal nutrition program in place yet, the team has been receiving guidance on healthier habits—cutting out sugary drinks, avoiding processed foods, and focusing on protein and complex carbs for energy and recovery.
Coaching Strategy: Flexible and Focused
With their top playmaker graduated and key returning seniors working through injury recovery, Coach Nafrada and his staff are taking a flexible, intentional approach to system development. The priority: building schemes around team strengths and creating early opportunities for younger players to grow and contribute.
Community Connection: Growing the Program’s Reach
Arcadia is placing a renewed emphasis on fan engagement and community impact. With an assistant coach stepping into a Director of Operations role, the Titans are strengthening ties to local youth and middle school programs and finding new ways to bring fans closer to the team.
Biggest Challenge: Youth and Inexperience
Heading into the season, the Titans’ most pressing challenge is inexperience. With just five seniors and a large sophomore class, many players are either new to varsity play—or new to the sport entirely. Still, the potential is there, and the program’s culture of hard work and accountability will help this young group rise quickly.
: Returning from a season-ending ankle injury, Hillson still led the Desert Sky Region in receiving last year. Her determination and elite talent make her a centerpiece for 2025.
Sophie Tautimes (Senior), Brooklyn Howerzyl (Freshman), Meadow Nelson (Freshman), and Shelby Scott (Newcomer): These athletes have been standout performers in workouts—consistently setting the tone in the weight room, on the track, and in field sessions.
Strength & Conditioning: Building Complete Athletes
This offseason marks the first structured strength and conditioning program for many players—and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. With a blend of weight training, agility work, and track-based speed drills, the Titans are building a faster, more explosive team identity.
Nutrition Awareness: Fueling for Performance
While there isn’t a formal nutrition program in place yet, the team has been receiving guidance on healthier habits—cutting out sugary drinks, avoiding processed foods, and focusing on protein and complex carbs for energy and recovery.
Coaching Strategy: Flexible and Focused
With their top playmaker graduated and key returning seniors working through injury recovery, Coach Nafrada and his staff are taking a flexible, intentional approach to system development. The priority: building schemes around team strengths and creating early opportunities for younger players to grow and contribute.
Community Connection: Growing the Program’s Reach
Arcadia is placing a renewed emphasis on fan engagement and community impact. With an assistant coach stepping into a Director of Operations role, the Titans are strengthening ties to local youth and middle school programs and finding new ways to bring fans closer to the team.
Biggest Challenge: Youth and Inexperience
Heading into the season, the Titans’ most pressing challenge is inexperience. With just five seniors and a large sophomore class, many players are either new to varsity play—or new to the sport entirely. Still, the potential is there, and the program’s culture of hard work and accountability will help this young group rise quickly.)
Share With