Story Written By: Christopher Simmons – CHSAANow.com
Photo Credit: Flip Dalfonso
Coach Dana "Doc" Srdoc has cemented his legacy at Mountain Vista after leading the Golden Eagles to a second CHSAA 5A State Flag Football Championship, marking back-to-back titles for the program. Over the last two seasons, Srdoc's teams have been unstoppable, compiling a perfect 38-0 record en route to consecutive state championships in the first two years of the sport being sanctioned by CHSAA.
With Srdoc at the helm, Mountain Vista has dominated opponents on the field while building a culture of excellence and consistency that has become the standard for the program. In recognition of this remarkable achievement, Srdoc has been named the 2025 Denver Broncos Coach of the Year for flag football.
Srdoc and the Golden Eagles will be honored on the field during the Broncos high school salute game this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
Dana "Doc" Srdoc
Overall Record at Mountain Vista: 38-0
Overall Record as a Head Coach: 38-0
What was going through your mind when the final whistle blew and you realized that Mountain Vista had just secured back-to-back 5A state championships?
The moment that whistle blew, I honestly felt like I was 15 years old again jumping up and down like a little kid. The excitement came from knowing what these young ladies accomplished and remembering where we started two years ago when none of us imagined we would reach this point. The girls worked so hard in the offseason while balancing multiple sports - soccer, basketball, lacrosse - and they still found a way to elevate their play every single week. Before CHSAA sanctioned the sport, we were literally drawing plays in the sand, just figuring things out as we went. When Coach Looney and Coach Ortega joined the staff in year one, everything started to take shape. We challenged the girls to play with high demands and toughness, and they embraced it immediately. So when that clock hit zero, watching them rush the field, seeing the fans and parents erupt, it felt like pure elation. I have been a bridesmaid several times in my coaching career, so to finally win a championship in that fashion, with a team that worked as hard as this one, was a phenomenal moment.
Over the last two seasons, your teams have gone a perfect 38-0. What do you think are the keys to sustaining that level of dominance?
The biggest reason for our sustained success has been leadership from within the team. Ariana Akey and Braelynn Looney played enormous roles in shaping our culture. Ariana is a silent competitor who leads through consistency, preparation, and communication. She works through every progression, stays calm, and sets a tone for our offense. Braelynn brings fire and energy. Any time there was even a hint of self doubt, she changed the entire demeanor of the group. Most of our games ended up being dominant wins, but early on many were close at halftime. The ability to pull away in the second half came from the emotional lift and competitive edge players like Braelynn created. Both of them were incredible leaders and I truly hope to see them competing in college one day.
How has the Mountain Vista program evolved over the last two years under your leadership? What changes or philosophies have been the biggest contributors to success?
When we started, we were honestly just trying to keep things simple because we did not yet know what qualities defined a successful girls flag football team. Once CHSAA sanctioned the sport and we entered the first official season, having our boys head coach serve as offensive coordinator made a massive difference. He drew up a system that allowed us to take advantage of what defenses gave us while keeping everything clear and structured. Girls ask great questions, and Ariana and Braelynn were always the first to ask the questions that helped everyone else learn without hesitation or intimidation. That openness created trust and clarity throughout the roster. Mistakes happen in any sport, but we emphasized effort, simplicity, and love of the game. Those values carried us from year one to year two and became the backbone of our identity.
Were there any moments this season when you thought "this might be our year" or did you stay focused on one game at a time?
We always stayed in a "one game at a time" mindset, but the girls knew from day one where they wanted to be. Having won the year before, we knew we would have a target on our backs and every team would bring their best effort. That reality sharpened us. It forced us to prepare more thoroughly and never overlook anyone. It actually helped us because it kept us aware that every opponent, every snap, and every situation mattered. So even though the larger goal stayed in the back of everyone's mind, the focus each week was always singular and it carried us through the season.
Looking back, were there any particular games that stood out as defining moments, where you saw the character or identity of this team really shine?
Two games in league play, Chaparral and Legend, were huge indicators of who we were becoming. In both games, we faced moments where things could have gotten away from us, but the girls kept reminding each other to take things one play at a time. We talked all season about not needing to eat the whole apple at once, just taking small bites, staying steady, and not getting greedy. In those matchups, I saw their composure, discipline, and confidence rise to another level. Those games proved that our fortitude was still there and that this team could respond when challenged.
Flag football requires a unique set of skills and strategies. How do you approach preparing your players?
On offense, everything starts with route running. With seven players on the field and six eligible receivers, spacing and timing become everything. If a player shortens a route or misses her depth, the quarterback cannot make the throw that the play demands. Sometimes a route is not even designed to get the ball; it is designed to pull a defender away. If that player does not execute her assignment, the entire play breaks down. So we spent a lot of time teaching new players the importance of finishing their routes completely. Defensively, we rely heavily on zone concepts, and zone defense requires trust. Once players learned to trust that their teammates would handle their space, their responsibilities became much easier. Yes, things go wrong, someone slips, someone falls, but the structure of our defense is designed to absorb those mistakes and limit big plays. Coach Ortega did an excellent job simplifying those concepts, and once the players fully trusted one another, everything clicked.
How important has team culture and leadership within the locker room been to achieving back-to-back championships?
It has been extremely important. Having coached girls for many years, I know they can be more prone to forming small groups or being hesitant to speak up. This year's team broke that mold. Every girl, whether she started, came off the bench, or played limited snaps, felt valued and supported. There was no jealousy and no negativity. When someone made a great play, the entire sideline erupted with genuine excitement. That environment makes players feel like they are competing for something bigger than themselves. When your teammates celebrate your success as much as you do, that creates a powerful bond. That culture was one of the strongest I have ever been around.
Mountain Vista has become a powerhouse in 5A flag football, how do you balance maintaining high expectations with keeping the experience fun and positive for the players?
A big part of the fun is that this sport is still new for so many players, but it is also deeply connected to something they have grown up watching with their families. Football is such an American tradition. So many of these girls have spent Saturdays and Sundays watching games with their dads or moms, enjoying those moments together. Now they get to play the sport themselves, and you can see in their faces how much they love it. When the Broncos win or lose, the whole city reacts, and our girls feel that same emotion when they step on the field. They play for their families, their teammates, and their community. Keeping it fun comes naturally when the sport itself means so much to them.
As a coach, what has been the most personally rewarding part of this two-year championship run?
One of the most rewarding parts has been watching the bond between Braelynn Looney and her dad, Garrett, after every game, especially after both championships. Those moments between a father and a daughter are irreplaceable. As a coach, witnessing that connection and knowing the sport helped create it is something incredibly meaningful. You cannot script something like that. It is the kind of moment you could build a movie around. Seeing families share the highest achievement in a season together, that is what makes all the long hours and hard work worth it.
What message do you hope your program sends to younger players in Mountain Vista and the surrounding community?
I hope young players see that this sport is for them if they want it. So many girls around our area are athletic but unsure where to focus their energy with soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and other commitments. When they try flag football, they often find something they love. I recently heard from a young coach in Colorado Springs who asked me to speak at his banquet because he wants to grow the sport in his community. I told him the same thing I tell anyone, never lower your expectations for your players. Hold them to the same standard you would hold any boys team. Girls will meet the challenge if you give them the opportunity and believe in them. My hope is that the sport keeps growing, that more girls want to play, and that the culture stays positive. And yes, I would love to coach for years and go undefeated again, but I know that streak will eventually end. What matters most is challenging every opponent, building a strong culture, and helping the sport spread across the state.
Now that your teams have back to back titles, how do you plan to maintain this success and continue challenging your players to grow?
Success builds more success, and the right leadership attracts players who want to be part of something special. The girls who come out for this program already understand the expectations and the standard we uphold. Our league keeps improving, which means staying at the top will get harder, and that is a good thing. It pushes us to evolve and refine what we do. I brought several old school football friends to our games this year and many were skeptical, but after watching the girls compete, they were blown away by how entertaining, intense, and skilled the games were. Growing the sport and seeing more girls fall in love with it is part of the mission. My dream is to someday drive past a park and see girls out there playing touch football on their own, pickup style, the same way boys have done for decades. That will show how far the sport has come.
Looking ahead, how do you hope this championship streak impacts Mountain Vista's flag football culture for future seasons?
My hope is that this run establishes Mountain Vista as a long-term standard in Colorado, similar to how Cherry Creek has been the benchmark in other sports for decades. Growing up here, Cherry Creek was always the program everyone measured themselves against. If years from now, long after I am gone, Mountain Vista is still at the top of the flag football world, still competing at the highest level, and still building strong young women through this sport, then that will be a legacy worth being proud of.
