October 21, 2026 — This week, the fall sports edition of the Cobb Schools 2026 “Day in the Life” (DITL) series follows one of the fastest-growing high school sports in America – flag football. 

McEachern senior Ava Couzens is a four-year varsity standout in the sport. For the Indians, she holds almost as many records as a local vinyl resell shop. As a defensive back, she is the school's all-time leader in interceptions and pass breakups. Her 12 interceptions in 2025 also set a single-season school record.

However, she’s not simply the defensive embodiment of a “No Pass Zone.” She also dominates on the offensive side of the ball. She is McEachern’s all-time receptions leader and has the longest touchdown in program history with a 78-yard catch-and-run. This is particularly notable because flag football plays on an 80-yard field. She is likely to break the school’s career receiving yards record this season and has a chance to finish with the most rushing touchdowns in school history, too. 

Ava has helped her team reach the state championship the last two seasons, earning the trophy in 2024. In the middle of the Indians’ march to reach a third straight title match, she took the time to navigate us through a day in her life as a committed student-athlete, darting back and forth much as she does through opponent defenses. 

                        Day: Wednesday (game day)
                        Location: Ava’s family home
                        Time: 4:00 a.m.
                        “The alarm goes off, but I hit ‘Snooze’ and go back to sleep for an hour. This is like a little warmup for my wakeup. 
                        It’s kind of weird, I know.”

                        Location: Ava’s family home
                        Time: 5:00 a.m.
                        “I actually get up this time. I brush my teeth, get dressed, pack practice clothes and school clothes, and, of course, put on 
                        my lip combo. I chill until it’s 6:10, then I make my way to school to train with my basketball team.”

In Georgia high school athletics, flag football, a fall sport, partially overlaps the winter sports season. For a few months, Ava juggles staying sharp with her flag football skills while getting ready for the basketball season simultaneously.

                        Location: McEachern High School auxiliary gym
                        Time: 8:00 a.m.
                        “Training ends, so I might go to breakfast or just chill in the locker room. There’s no point in changing into school clothes 
                        because my first block is weight training.”

                        Location: McEachern High School weight room
                        Time: 8:25 a.m.
                        “I head upstairs to the weight room and work out all first block. Sometimes I go outside on the football practice field to run routes 
                        or practice speed, agility, or footwork.”

                        Location: McEachern High School classrooms
                        Time: 9:56 a.m.
                        “After first block is over, I go to my other three classes - Engineering, Economics, and Multicultural Literature. I have a lunch 
                        break before the 3rd class. I usually eat nachos or chicken tenders and fries.”

                        Location: McEachern High School campus
                        Time: 3:30 p.m.
                        “When school is over, on a game day, I go to the trainer’s room to wrap up. Sometimes I’ll wrap myself because I’m a trainer, too. 
                        Today is an away doubleheader, so the team will get dressed for the games and grab a pregame meal to eat on the bus ride. Today 
                        it’s Zaxby’s.
                        “This game against Marietta is very hyped. We were all pretty excited, playing music in the locker room, and crowding the mirrors, 
                        putting our eye-black on. By the time Coach gets on the bus, though, we quiet down and get ready mentally.”

Ava and her teammates board the bus for the 11-mile ride to historic Northcutt Stadium on Marietta High School’s original campus. Flag football games are fast-paced, and since physical contact is limited and harsh contact is prohibited, teams typically play two games on the same night – essentially a three-team round-robin. On this night, the Indians face host Marietta and Lithia Springs. 

                        Location: Northcutt Stadium, old Marietta High School
                        Time: 5:00 p.m.
                        “When we pulled up, flags were lining the streets saying, ‘The Real MHS.’ We got off the bus pretty confident. Everyone started 
                        warming up on the field – throwing, catching, running routes, and practicing flag pulls. The coaches were excited. Our families 
                        pulled up. We were ready for a good time.” 

The first game at 5:30 pitted MHS versus MHS. The McEachern Indians knocked off the Marietta Blue Devils 21-12 to lay claim to being ‘The Real MHS.’ Ava caught six passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. She also rushed three times for 18 yards and two touchdowns. That's right. She scored all three of the Indians' touchdowns in this game.

In the second game, a 14-6 win over Lithia Springs, Ava passed for a touchdown, had four receptions for 40 yards, and also pulled in two interceptions. 

                        Location: Northcutt Stadium, old Marietta High School
                        Time: 8:45 p.m.
                        “The games are over. We get dressed in normal clothes and go home with our families. Before the day ends, though, I may take 
                        a cold shower and eat a hot meal.”

It’s been a long day, but this kind of commitment is one of the reasons that the McEachern Flag Football Indians started the season 6-0. Based on the program’s 74-5 record during Ava’s previous three years, there will be many more wins to come.