06-06-2025
St. Thomas' Duque, Western's O'Brien are the Broward Flag Football Coaches of the Year
At Western, James O'Brien has seen the Wildcats become a consistent state title contender in flag football for several years.
At St. Thomas Aquinas, Derek Duque has been developing the Raiders into a contender as well in recent years.
This season both coaches took their respective squads further than any other in Broward County as each advanced to the regional finals in their respective classifications.
O'Brien and Duque are the Broward County Flag Football Co-Coaches of the Year.
After a rare season in which his team exited the playoffs in the first round, O'Brien guided Western back to the regional final in Class 4A - now the largest classification with the state expanding its alignment to four classes this season.
The Wildcats remained one of the state's top teams, picking up wins against several top programs including Aquinas before losing in the regional championship game to Miami Palmetto.
Western once again had one of the most prolific offenses in the state led by seniors Maddison Manragh and Teetee Mortimer as well as junior TT McFadden, who combined to score 38 touchdowns and amass over 2,200 yards.
While a trip to the state final four has eluded St. Thomas Aquinas, the Raiders have been on the doorstep for the past three seasons. Aquinas advanced to the regional finals in Class 3A with a 16-2 record - one of their best in school history - before losing a close game to Homestead.
Duque has the program on the rise, however, and thriving despite graduating senior quarterback Sherice Newton - the Miami Herald's Player of the Year.
Sophomore Aimee Colson and junior Emmi Merhi return next season to try to lead the Raiders in another bid for a state championship.
