Highland is off and rolling.
In a highly anticipated matchup to open the 2026 Arizona high school flag football season on Sept. 15, No. 1 Gilbert Highland overcame a slow first quarter to beat No. 2 Gilbert Campo Verde 41-16. The game featured The Republic’s two top-ranked teams in the preseason. Campo Verde is the defending 5A state champion.
The game was featured as the Arizona Cardinals Girls High School Flag Football Game of the Week, broadcast on Arizona’s Family/CBS.
“Big game, Campo Verde,” Highland coach Kenny Golladay said. “I mean, top two teams in the state. Amazing skills. For us to come out and get that victory, it’s definitely going to boost us to continue on going.”
Highland is the favorite to win the 6A state championship after coming
up short in last year’s 6A semifinals. Most of the roster from that season has returned, including star junior quarterback Lacie Nemchick. In the offseason, Nemchick made history as the first Arizona prep to receive a Power Four varsity scholarship with her offer from Nebraska.
It was the first game for Nemchick since a tough loss to Mesa Red Mountain in the 2025 semifinals, where the Mountain Lions came back down 24-14 with five minutes left – all sparked by a pick-six interception thrown by Nemchick.
“That loss we had definitely makes us hungry,” Nemchick said. “We worked hard all offseason, even harder than last offseason. We were nervous for this game, but having the support of all my teammates, it made all of us feel better.”
Highland trailed Campo 3-0 after the first quarter following a short field goal from junior Mia Ikeda. On Highland’s next possession, Nemchick led the Hawks on a 10-play scoring drive punctuated by a 5-yard touchdown to go up 6-3 early in the second.
After forcing a punt on Campo’s ensuing drive, Highland marched down the field again and scored on another Nemchick short run to extend the lead to 13-3 with 1:55 left in the first half.
Then came one of the game's biggest plays. On the first play of the second half, Highland sophomore defensive back Ela Witcher intercepted a pass from Campo senior quarterback Amaya Moreno and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown, making it 20-3.
Witcher added two more touchdowns, both receiving.
Highland again capitalizes on the prime field position.
— Logan Stanley (@RLSscribe) September 16, 2026
Nemchick to Witcher for the 19-yard TD. That’s Witcher’s 3rd overall TD of the night (2 offensive, 1 defensive).
Highland 41, Campo 16 | 9:14, 4Q.@azc_preps pic.twitter.com/XIwCYqP6rG
“I think any coach who has her, you’re getting a piece of gold,” Golladay said. “She lettered in soccer, in track, in football. That girl can play any sport, any position. She’s a very unique player. We’re happy to have her.”
Campo kept fighting back, though. Immediately after Witcher’s interception pushed it to 20-3, the Coyotes responded with a big play. Sophomore wide receiver Jaiyana Bogan-Jacobs, one of the nation’s top basketball recruits, hauled in a short pass from Moreno and then took it 80 yards for the touchdown to cut the lead 20-10.
After Campo’s onside kick was unsuccessful, giving Highland the ball in the red zone, the Hawks pounced and quickly pushed it to 27-10 in the third following a 5-yard touchdown pass from Nemchick. Nemchick finished with five total touchdowns (two rushing, three passing).
Bogan-Jacobs made another highlight play in the fourth, leapfrogging two defenders for a 39-yard touchdown. While the game didn’t end the way Campo wanted, the Coyotes still have positives to take away, particularly with Bogan-Jacobs.
Not just a hooper…
— Logan Stanley (@RLSscribe) September 16, 2026
Campo WR Jaiyana Bogan-Jacobs adds to her ridiculous night, hauling in this 39-yard TD run.
That’s why Bogan-Jacobs is ranked No. 2 in the nation for basketball for the class of 2029.
Highland 34, Campo 16 | 9:30, 4Q.@azc_preps pic.twitter.com/pl8GDm0jbL
“Not that she needed a coming-out party, but she definitely showed what she can do in front of the state,” coach Brian Coger said. “We fought to end, so that was a good thing. I may have gotten over anxious, went for the onside kick early. But it’s good — get those things out of the way now. We’ll regroup.”
These two teams could play each other again in a few weeks at the Fiesta Bowl Copper State Invitational, an in-season tournament.
“Hopefully we see these guys again in a couple weeks,” Coger said.
While it’s just a season opener, Highland’s win is revealing.
Defeating one of the state's top rosters by almost 30 points shows these Hawks are a fierce contender to win it all.
“Campo is a great team,” Nemchick said. “I think this can help build confidence for us. We’re continuing to go day-by-day. It’s only game one of the season, and we have 11 more games, plus playoffs. We’re just getting started. We’re excited for what’s to come.”
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at logan.stanley@usatodayco.com or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @RLSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Highland takes down Campo Verde in 2026 flag football season opener
