Florida Panhandle 2026’s Who Lit Up The Season

<!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"left"} --> <p class="has-text-align-left"><strong>The 2026 season in the Florida Panhandle was a whirlwind, with the class of 2026 quietly torching the spring, and no programs showcased senior leadership better than South Walton (SOWAL) and Navarre High School.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"left"} --> <p class="has-text-align-left">South Walton High School is graduating nine seniors this year, a massive turnover for a program that's become a steady force in the Panhandle. With their first district championship in 5 years, in a very veteran-heavy group, two names stand out, and both were notable snubs from the All-Panhandle First team selections: Attacker/Draw specialist, [player_tooltip player_id='72222' first='Mia' last='Carlstedt'], and Goalie, [player_tooltip player_id='72223' first='Valentýna' last='“Vali” Olejařová.']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["72222"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f91e3b6e557"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carlstedt leaves SOWAL as the program's all-time leading scorer with 159 career goals, a shifty playmaker who just as easily slices through a slide as she does thread a last-second feed. She sees the field at a high level and drops assists like it's routine, all while OWNING the center circle, winning draws to herself, or trusting her circle players when the matchups demand it. Her poise under pressure showed up in big moments, none bigger than her half-field buzzer beater against Gulf Breeze High School in the 2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["72223"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f91e3b6e59b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On the back end, Olejařová has been the anchor for the SOWAL defense. Tall in the cage with exceptionally quick hands, she shrugs off goals against, resets instantly, and is never afraid to act as an eighth defender. Whether she's stepping out to challenge shooters or pushing transition by carrying the ball up the field herself, Olejařová changes the geometry of the field and ignites a new energy with every stop she makes.&nbsp;<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["72224"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f91e3b6e5c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 5'6", attacker [player_tooltip player_id='72224' first='Fiona' last='Dodson'] brought a different kind of edge to South Walton's offense, carving up defenses with smart off-ball movement and perfectly timed cuts. She consistently found seams in coverage and turned them into high-quality chances and goals, flashing an offensive IQ that kept her a step ahead of slides and helped defenders. On the ride, Dodson is RELENTLESS, ferocious, tracking the ball back, hounding clears, and forcing turnovers that gave the Seahawks crucial extra possessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["72225"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f91e3b6e5e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On the defensive end for the Seahawks, [player_tooltip player_id='72225' first='Taylee' last='Mulder'] has earned her reputation as the "interception queen," commanding her presence at the crease with a blend of length, great instinct, and anticipation that worries every offense she faces. Mulder thrives in tight spaces, reading the eyes and passing lanes with precision to sneakily snatch opportunities in a calm and collected way. Just as impactful is her voice, which is steady, sharp, and uplifting. Mulder directs traffic and brings energy to the defensive unit that is unmatched. In addition to that, she was nominated as a positive teammate through Positive Athlete Inc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["72226"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f91e3b6e606"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out South Walton's standouts is four-year letterman and captain for the 2026 season, Mallory "Mal-Mal" Murphy. Murphy brings an edge you just can't manufacture. She competes at a high level with a natural aggressiveness and has a relentless hunger for every loose ball in her vicinity. Murphy thrives when the ball hits the turf. She flies into ground-ball scrums, and on top of that, turning chaos into possession is her happy place. She is a leader who rallies her troops to stay locked in on the objective.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["72231"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f91f8a1823d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">From Navarre, Marialys "Mouse" Dekom stood tall in the midfield as a true two-way presence and emotional anchor. A team captain, her leadership was on full display in Navarre's statement win over The Bolles School this season, where she impacted both ends of the field. Offensively, she's shifty with the ball and unleashes a rocket of a shot, forcing defenses to account for her at all times. On the defensive end, getting past her takes real work. She moves her feet, uses her body well, and competes for every possession. Committed to Shorter University, Dekom projects as a seamless fit at the next level, bringing toughness, versatility, and leadership into their midfield unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["72233"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f91f8a182d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='72233' first='Ella' last='Adams'] from Pensacola Catholic High School (PCHS) doesn't need size to stand out. This midfielder plays with grit, clean stick skills, and a coach's understanding of the game that comes from growing up around it. She sees lanes early, moves the ball with purpose, and competes hard on every 50-50 ball. Between a demanding academic load and heavy involvement with PCHS, she brings the kind of maturity and discipline college staff would absolutely eat up in the locker room and between the lines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["72234"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f91f8a18354"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fast and furious fits [player_tooltip player_id='72234' first='Kaleyah' last='Bussing'] from Gulf Breeze High School perfectly. The Dolphins' two-way middy plays with the kind of confidence that lets her step into the draw, win it clean to herself, and take it coast-to-coast to the cage. Tall, explosive, and dominant in the circle, she loves to pull the draws out of the air and immediately push the tempo, putting defenses on their heels before they're even set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->