TAMPA - All season, Miami Edison’s girls flag football team has been finding unique ways to win games.
After beating Tallahassee Florida High on Thursday in the state semifinals, 21-14, the No. 2 seed Lady Red Raiders saved their best for last – literally.
On the final play of the 1A state title game at the AdventHealth Training Center against top seed Wildwood, Edison pulled off the impossible when junior quarterback Rakyia Wilson found senior Poetry Auguste with a “Hail Mary” pass from 32 yards out and a 26-20 state title. The first in school history.
Edison broke out on top when Louis found standout freshman Torri Cottman from 23 yards out and a 7-0 advantage.
With 11:03 left in the first half, Louis gave Edison a 13-0 lead on another scoring play.
When freshman Zoey Brown caught a pass with 7:58 left in the opening half, the lead was cut to 13-7.
The Lady Red Raiders remained in control when Louis, who threw for 4 scores, tossed another and a 20-7 lead with 2:00 left in the opening half. But Wildwood wasn’t finished and cut the halftime advantage to 20-13 at the half on another Brown scoring pass.
Wildwood remained hot in the third quarter, riding the arm of Brown with 8:10 left, tying the game at 20.
Each team had their chances in the third and fourth quarters, and when freshman Ja’Niya Corbin came up with an interception with 4:37 left, Edison’s chance to take the lead was stopped.
It all came down to that final drive, and with two big plays Edison drove the ball down to inside the Wildwood 35 when Aguste got behind freshman Jeriyah Walker for the stunner!
In addition to head coach Vincent Hall and Tiara Jones (Assistant Head Coach), Ken Simmons (Offensive Coordinator), Mikey Sheehan (Defensive Coordinator), Rod Louis (Offensive Assistant), Gary McIntosh (Defensive Assistant), and John Burks (Special Teams), Edison also boasted some quality players.
Auguste led a strong senior (2025) class that also included Camille Candidate (B/LB/Athlete), Armardi Danquah (WR/R) and Imani Rogers (C/WR).
Louis was indeed the standout for this team throughout the year, but the junior also had some help in the 2026 class from Talayah Akdhar (R/WR) and Malayisa David (WR/DB).
Freshmen (2028) also played a key role with Cotman (WR/S), Briana Bogan (WR/LB/R), Jennifer Burton (LB/WR), London Harris (C/LB), Jayla McGuire (C), and Tykwondra Ponder (WR/LB).
David, Bogan, Ponder, McGuire and Louis are all Turner Tech students.
ROAD TO A 1A STATE TITLE
Hialeah Gardens Mater Lakes, W 49-6
Miami Palmetto, W 20-19
Hialeah Gardens, W 18-13
Miami Central, W 59-0
Academy For Innovative Education, W 47-0
Miami High, W Forfeit
Hollywood McArthur, W 35-0
Miami Carol City, W 28-0
Miami Jackson, W 42-0
Miami Northwestern, W 12-6
Miami Braddock, W 38-0
Homestead, L 26-6
Hialeah American, W 45-0
Doral Downtown, W 46-0
Sports Leadership & Management, W 24-18
Florida City Keys Gate Academy, W 33-0
Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace, W 34-0
Sports Leadership & Management, W 33-0
1A STATE SEMIFINAL
Miami Edison 21, Tallahassee Florida High 14
1A STATE FINAL
Miami Edison 26, Wildwood 20
HOMESTEAD ENDS SEASON
They had headed to the 3A state flag football championships on a seven-game winning streak, but a first round setback to Tallahassee Lawton Chiles, 18-7, sent head coach Jahmar Carter and his Homestead Lady Broncos back home.
A 16-5 record was indeed a year that this program, the coaches and players will look back at for years to come.
MIAMI PALMETTO FALLS SHORT IN 4A
They had won the state title in 2024, but defending that title was not easy as the Miami Palmetto Lady Panthers and head coach Kevin Mujica watched their season end in the opening round with a tough 7-0 setback to eventual state champion Tampa Alonso.
Winning 11 of the final 12 games of the year, this team ended an amazing 16-4 season and two Final Four appearances.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MIAMI EDISON HIGH SCHOOL
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