Marana coach Shaun Lara knows all about what comprises a special team when it comes to high school flag football.
His record of 42-3 leading the program in its first three years shows that he and assistant coach Sean Roebuck know what it takes to be impressively different than many other teams, locally and statewide.
“It’s not easy to do what we do week in and week out; it’s all to these girls,” Lara said.
He mentioned to his top-ranked 6A team following its 21-7 win at No. 15 Sunnyside on Thursday that they are “special group” for going through the regular season unbeaten for the second time in its brief history.
Shaun Lara has coached Marana to an unbeaten, 15-0 season going into Saturday’s 6A seedings and bracket reveal for the upcoming state playoffs. The Tigers are No. 2 presently and should stay there after a 21-7 win over a good Sunnyside team tonight. pic.twitter.com/Q0lMsxk2zF
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) November 7, 2025
Marana was 12-0 and ranked No. 3 ahead of the state playoffs in its inaugural year of 2023. The Tigers lost 21-20 in the quarterfinals at home against Glendale Mountain Ridge to finish 13-1.
Last season, the Tigers were 12-1 and rated No. 3 at the conclusion of the regular season and advanced to the semifinal round, where it lost 13-9 at home to Mesa Red Mountain.
With the playoff experience from the previous two years and the ability to keep a mental edge by continuing their dominance week after week, Marana believes the third time in the postseason could be the charm.
The Tigers can be a No. 1 seed for the first time heading into the postseason when the bracket is revealed Saturday, and the players will welcome that distinction.
“We have adjusted so much and it’s so different from the other teams, all the other teams I’ve played with,” said Roxi Singer, who had two interceptions against Sunnyside. “It’s also our last year … we’re the last group of the original girls who started the program and everything, so it’s special.”
Marana senior Roxi Singer is one of the top talents in the state. She had a couple of interceptions and made some significant receptions in No. 1 Marana’s 21-7 win over No. 15 Sunnyside. Her sister Nami, a former Marana standout, is freshman rusher at St. Francis (Ind.)… pic.twitter.com/ZCpaz6loFZ
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) November 7, 2025
Marana freshman-sensation quarterback Isabella Garcia is not one of those original girls, but she plays like she belongs with them.
Garcia completed her first seven passes against Sunnyside and finished 23 of 39 for 200 yards with two touchdown passes. She also rushed for 61 yards on 11 carries.
Marana set the tone behind Garcia’s passing in the first possession of the game. She accounted for all of the Tigers’ 84 yards on 11 plays. She went 8 of 9 for 67 yards, including a 2-yard strike to state player-of-the-year candidate Malaysia Roebuck in the end zone with 6:35 left in the first quarter.
She also ran the ball twice for 17 yards.
“During the off-season over the summer, I made sure to put in as much reps as I can, so coming into this season, I would be like as best as I could do,” Garcia said. “I have been trusting in my receivers to catch the ball, and it’s turned out great. We’ve won every single game.”
Marana QB Isabella Garcia is classified as a freshman but she plays well beyond her years because of her experience playing national 7-on-7 tournaments for Tucson Turf. Her steady and efficient play is a big reason why Marana is 15-0 and the likely No. 1 seed in the upcoming 6A… pic.twitter.com/WuPxi0JI4Q
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) November 7, 2025
Sunnyside has proven itself to be competitive in its second season of existence at 8-4 overall with a likely consecutive appearance in the state tournament.
The Blue Devils trailed 7-0 at halftime and had the ball on the Tiger 19 with a first-down play about 5 minutes left in the third quarter.
That’s when sophomore Mazie Brown stepped in front of a pass and returned the interception 90 yards for a touchdown. That proved to be a knock-out 14-point swing against Sunnyside.
“We just wanted to give them a tough fight,” Sunnyside coach Alfredo Lerma said. “We knew they were a good team. They are who they are for a reason.
“I’m really proud of the girls. They did everything we asked them to do to almost perfection.”
Alfredo Lerma and his staff have performed some quality work coaching Sunnyside to a No. 15 ranking in the 6A and an 8-4 record in the program’s second year. The Blue Devils stayed within a touchdown of unbeaten No. 1 Marana a few minutes into third quarter in a 21-7 loss.… pic.twitter.com/Brgx29L0S5
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) November 7, 2025
After Marana built its lead to 21-0 on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Garcia to fellow freshman Sophia Silverstein with 8:24 remaining, Singer achieved her second interception of the game.
Those two plays could have subdued Sunnyside, but the Blue Devils scored a touchdown on their next possession on a 27-yard pass from senior captain Anyssa Lerma to freshman Danitza Siqueiros with 1:19 left to avoid the shutout.
Singer, the younger sister of former Marana standout Nami Singer, finished with four receptions for 49 yards in addition to her two interceptions.
She may follow her sister to St. Francis (Ind.) University to continue her flag-football career.
First thing first – her sights are on a potential state championship.
She said for that to happen, her team must “communicate.”
“If you don’t talk on the field, you’re never going to get your job done,” she said.
Marana does its talking verbally and through its actions. The Tigers’ winning percentage of 93.3 in their first three years speaks volumes.
“It’s not easy (to go unbeaten) with the schedule we chose,” Lara said. “We wanted some tough teams. For instance, we wanted to see some good teams like (Mesa) Eastmark. They made us better early in the season.
“Ending the season against Sunnyside in our region is great. They’re a good team. I’m excited to see what they can do, (and) where they line up in the playoffs.”
Of Marana being the potential, No. 1 seed, Lara mentioned: “The girls deserve it. They work harder than anybody I know.”
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