Tioga County Sports ReportOWEGO — A trio of Owego River Hawks have been named New York State High School Football Coaches Association 2025 Spring Flag Football Award winners.
Junior quarterback Kyle Grippen has been selected the Class C Offensive Player of the Year and senior defensive back Olivia Dodge has been chosen the Class C Defensive Player of the Year. Joining them is Rusty Virkler, picked as the Class C Coach of the Year.
Grippen missed half the regular season with a torn ACL, damaged meniscus and fractured knee cap, but returned for the postseason and led the River Hawks to the state championship game.
On the season, she completed 245 of her 348 pass attempts (70 percent) for 2,576 yards, and 49 TDs and only threw two interceptions. She also completed 36 passes for extra points.
During the playoffs, Grippen went 109-for-166 for 1,232 yards, 19 TDs, 15 extra points and one interception.
She was named a New York State Sportswriters Association first-team all-state QB.
Dodge was a second-team all-state selection of offense, but was a major contributor in all facets of the game for the River Hawks.
Defensively, she set school records for tackles with 119 and interceptions with 13. She also had three pick-6s and 266 return yards.
On offense, Dodge recorded 87 receptions for a school-record 929 yards and a school-record 22 TDs. She also rushed for 329 yards and seven TDs on 38 carries.
She scored a school-record 34 touchdowns and also had 16 punt returns for 249 yards and three TDs. Dodge was named a NYSSWA second team selection on offense.
Virkler led the River Hawks to a 12-0 regular season record and their second consecutive Section IV championship. Owego finished the season with an 18-1 overall record, falling to Pioneer in the Class C state championship game to Pioneer, 13-12 in overtime.
He took the reins when the state began flag football in 2022 and led Owego to a 46-6 overall record in four seasons.
The inaugural NYSHSFCA girls flag football awards banquet will be held March 6, 2026 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona.
NYSHSFCA Awards
Defensive Player of the Year
Class A: Ava Suaza, Valley Stream, Section VIII, Sr.
Class B: Alivia Landy, Columbia, Section 2, Sr.
Class C: Olivia Dodge, Owego, Section IV, Sr.
Offensive Player of the Year
Class A: Samantha Heyman, Half Hollow Hills, Section XI, Jr.
Class B: Emma Rascoe, Webster Schroeder, Section V, Jr.
Class C: Kylie Grippen, Owego, Section IV, Jr.
Coach of the Year
Class A: Mike Lupa, Half Hollow Hills, Section XI
Class B: Ian Insley Webster Schroeder, Section V
Class C: Rusty Virkler, Owego, Section IV
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IN PHOTO 1: Kylie Grippen and coach Rusty Virkler. IN TOP PHOTO: Olivia Dodge. … TCSR STOCK PHOTOS.
