Makena Cook, one of the top high school girls flag football players in the nation, is transferring to a new school for her senior year.
"I am super grateful for (former Orange Lutheran flag football coaches) Rod and Kristen Sherman," Cook told MaxPreps. "They have had the biggest influence on me and my development both on and off the field. Before I started playing for them, I really had not played very much quarterback. I only played receiver and safety for the national team, so all of my quarterback development came from them."
One of the top flag football players in the country, Makena Cook is transferring from Orange Lutheran to be a part of the inaugural girls flag football team at Sierra Canyon for her senior year. (PHOTO: Marc Gewertz)
Cook is a member of the 17U Team USA flag football team, which will take on international competition in June. She was the 2024 MaxPreps California Player of the Year.
As a junior, Cook threw for 7,083 yards with a state-leading 112 touchdown passes as Orange Lutheran reached the Southern Section Division 1 championship game and finished as the No. 7 team in the country. As a sophomore, Cook led the Lancers to a section crown after posting 6,611 passing yards with 97 touchdowns.
After committing to Georgia to play soccer in August, Cook became the first girls high school flag football player to receive a collegiate offer from a Power 4 school when Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule paid a visit to offer her in person in January.
Sierra Canyon will be fielding a girls flag football team for the first time in 2026.
"I am really excited about my senior year and helping start the flag program at Sierra Canyon," Cook said. "They have so many talented female athletes that I am excited to surround myself with. I really want to leave my mark on high school flag football this (year) so my plan is to work harder than I ever have and give it everything I've got."
