Athletes of the Week: USA TODAY Sports Top IX flag football players of Week 11

The flag football season keeps speeding up, and the sport's stars continue rising as regular seasons come to an end and the playoffs create more headlines. Across the country, these are the nine players from USA TODAY Sports flag football Super 25 teams that caught our eye.Here is the USA TODAY Sports Top IX of Week 11:Aniayah Barron, No. 20 Merced (CA)For some defensive prowess, look no further than Aniayah Barron. In Merced’s playoff game against Antelope this week, the sophomore posted a whopping 12 flag pulls and two sacks, then caught a receiving touchdown to top it all off.Isla Collins, No. 18 Salpointe Catholic (AZ)It’s no surprise to see Isla Collins here. The sophomore star threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns in Salpointe Catholic’s 35-0 shutout of Nogales this week, and also put in defensive work with an interception and two flag pulls.Ava George, No. 10 McEachern (GA)Ava George scored against Hiram in every way this week, throwing for 212 yards and three touchdowns while also piling up 21-yard rushing and 12-yard receiving touchdowns.Antonia Lejarde, No. 20 Merced (CA)Merced is still alive in the CIF San-Joaquin Section Division 2 playoffs, and standout quarterback Antonia Lejarde is, of course, no small factor. The senior threw 33-for-40 in their win over Del Oro this week, tallying five touchdowns and zero interceptionsCarson McElroy, No. 7 Milton (GA)Milton made a huge leap in this week’s National Super 25 rankings, and Carson McElroy was essential to the Eagles’ statement win over McEachern. McElroy threw for 193 yards and three touchdowns while also putting in the work on defense, pulling four flags and defending two passes.Claire McMahon, No. 12 Campo Verde (AZ)Claire McMahon was a receiving machine in Campo Verde’s 63-0 shutout of Arizona College Prep this past week, logging 139 receiving yards for three touchdowns while pulling four flags on the other side of the ball.Amaya Moreno, No. 12 Campo Verde (AZ)Star senior quarterback Amaya Moreno was in predictably impressive form in the Coyotes’ 63-0 shutout of Arizona College Prep this past week, throwing 23-for-30 for 403 yards and a whopping eight touchdowns. Zero interceptions were the impressive cherry on top.Lacie Nemchick, No. 16 Highland (AZ)A frequent flier in conversations about the sport’s best, Lacie Nemchick continues to impress. In Highland’s victory over Williams Field this week, the junior threw for 324 yards and five touchdowns and added two on the ground.Avery Sadler, No. 13 Montgomery Catholic (AL)Montgomery Catholic’s Avery Sadler made her presence known everywhere in the Knights’ victory over Northside this week. The senior tallied both a rushing and passing TD on offense, while contributing eight flag pulls, two defended passes and an interception on defense.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Athletes of the Week: USA TODAY Sports Top IX flag football players of Week 11