UPLAND – Upland High School rising junior Leah Davis has established herself as one of the nation’s premier girls flag football players, earning national recognition for her record-breaking performances while using her growing platform to inspire the next generation of female athletes.

A dynamic wide receiver and defensive back, Davis has become one of the country’s most accomplished two-way players. During her sophomore season, she led the nation in scoring with 352 total points and ranked second nationally with 54 touchdowns, according to MaxPreps. She also recorded 2,785 total yards, 158 tackles, and 13 interceptions.

Davis’ career has earned accolades at the local, regional, and national levels. As a freshman, she was named the 2024 Baseline League Most Valuable Player (MVP) before earning All-CIF Division II honors, Upland High School MVP recognition, Rams Week 5 Player of the Week, and 2025 Inland Valley Player of the Year. Davis was also invited to participate in the U.S. Junior Flag National Team Trials for a chance to represent the United States at the 2026 Junior International Cup. She has also received eight collegiate scholarship offers, was selected as an Under Armour All-American for girls flag football, earned National Football League (NFL) Flag Regional MVP honors, and earned the rare honor of being named the 2025 Baseline League MVP for the second year in a row.

“Leah represents everything we hope to develop in our student-athletes,” Superintendent Dr. Lynn Carmen Day said. “Her dedication, leadership, humility, and commitment to excellence have made her an outstanding ambassador for Upland Unified. Beyond her incredible accomplishments on the field, she is using her success to create opportunities for others, embodying our mission of Creating Excellence for All.”

Davis credits Upland High School’s flag football program and its coaches for helping her grow as both an athlete and a leader.

“Upland’s flag football program has given me a platform to showcase not only my talent, but the talent of my teammates,” Davis said. “We’ve already seen several girls continue playing at the collegiate level, and I hope our success shows young women there is a place for us on the football field. Coach Heather Inglima has been my biggest cheerleader, supporting every player on and off the field. Her leadership has helped build an unbreakable sisterhood that I’m proud to be part of.”

Although Davis played club flag football for two years before arriving at Upland High, she said the school’s program has elevated her game while providing opportunities to compete at the highest levels and help grow the sport.

Now, Davis is working to create those same opportunities for others.

Drawing on the platform she has built through her success on the field, Davis partnered to launch the inaugural Flag Academy Free Football Clinic, a free event for area youth expected to welcome more than 100 girls interested in learning the fundamentals of flag football. The clinic will bring together experienced coaches, including Davis’ travel coaches, to provide high-quality instruction in a fun, encouraging environment at no cost to participants.

Davis said the clinic was inspired by a desire to remove barriers that may prevent girls from trying the sport.

“I wanted to use my platform to inspire female athletes and give them an opportunity to learn the game without worrying about the cost,” Davis said. “I know there are girls who want to try flag football but don’t know where to start. If taking away that barrier helps even one girl discover the same passion I have for the game, then I’ve done my job.”

National recruiting outlet Under the Radar recently mused that Davis could be “the most electric player in girls flag football,” praising her game-breaking speed, explosive playmaking ability, and reputation as a scoring threat every time she touches the football.

As girls flag football continues to experience unprecedented growth across California and the nation, Davis is aiming to shape the sport’s future, not only through her skilled play, but by opening doors for athletes who will follow in her footsteps.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

UUSD_Davis1: Upland High School rising junior Leah Davis has risen as an elite flag football player who led the nation in scoring with 352 total points and ranked second nationally with 54 touchdowns, according to MaxPreps.

UUSD_Davis2: Leah Davis, wide receiver for the Upland High School girls flag football team, completes a catch during the CIF Southern Section Championships against the Gahr Gladiators.