Athlete of the Week: Ava Smith, Gotha Middle School

At 12 years old, Gotha Middle School’s Ava Smith already has tackled the battle of being a dual-sport athlete. The seventh-grader plays as a quarterback for HERricanes Brand Name Athlete Winter Garden girls flag football team, and in the 2025 fall season, she competed in more than 11 championships. 

Her accomplishments led her team to become the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars Regional Champions and the 2025 12U NFL Tennessee Titans Regional Champions. She has been selected twice as an athlete for the USA Select Bowl, which is a bowl game highlighting the country’s rising flag football players. 

Smith also plays for Windermere Little League’s 10-12U softball All-Star team, for which she played as a shortstop who never left the field and rarely struck out. 

“Ava went from just being a good athlete and teammate to understanding the game, being able to read defenses and take what the defense gives her,” Ava’s mom Shauna Smith said. “But more important, she is becoming a leader. She understands that her body language and her confidence can change the outcome of the game.” 

What do you enjoy most about football? 

The competition. 

When did you start football, and why did you join? 

In 2022. I wanted to try something new. 

What was your best memory in football? Individually or with your team.

Winning the Tennessee Titans NFL Flag Regionals and being able to compete with teams across the United States representing other NFL teams. Individually, being selected to play on the USA flag football team for my age group, where I got to play with other competitors from other states and coached by new coaches. 

What has football taught you? 

To be disciplined. 

How would you describe yourself as a teammate?

A leader. 

What advice would you give someone who just joined football? 

Welcome to the team. We are going to win some. We are going to lose some. But as long as we compete and have fun, leave it all on the field. 

If you were a coach, what speech would you give the team?

We will be in tough situations, so you just have to keep your head up and power through.

What is your pre-game ritual?

Listening to music, running through routes in my mind and getting excited.

If you could pick a different sport, what would it be? Why? 

Softball because I’ve already played it, and I’m really good at it. 

Who do you look up to the most? 

My dad. He is the one that got me into football.

What is something new you would like to learn?

A backflip on the ground.

Where would you want to live if you weren’t in Florida?

California. The weather is amazing, and they have In and Out. 

If you won the lottery what would you do with the money? 

Buy jet skis and trampolines. 

What is your favorite birthday memory? 

Going to a rage room then dinner with my favorite people. 

What future career do you want to have? 

A professional football player and a very, very well paying job. 

If you became famous, what would it be for? 

Being so young on a professional football team. 

If you had to pick a spirit animal, which would you choose?

A goat because we all know why — Greatest Of All Time. 

What is your perfect day? 

When there’s a perfect breeze, and we get to scrimmage at practice. 

Why did you pick your jersey number?

No. 2 was Jalen Hurts’ rookie number.