The IHSA added flag football for girls as an official sport this year, with the first state finals taking place Oct. 18 and 19. Here’s a look at what you can expect from some of the schools in the Daily Herald’s coverage area fielding a team.

Conant

Trainer: Lorel Cunningham

Noteworthy: Like many coaches, Cunningham is excited to see flag football become a state sport. “We’re excited to see the rise of this sport,” she said…. This is the first year the Cougars have fielded a team…. Cunningham said they have a large group of second-graders to mix with several third-, fourth- and first-graders….. “Being new, we’re excited to get girls learning this new sport, having fun, learning, working as a team and hopefully being competitive,” Cunningham said.

Elgin

Trainer: David Borg

Top players: Mariangela Batres, Sr., WR; Trinity Riggins, fr., QB; Valerie Martinez, supra; Abigail Mutolo, Jr., WR

Noteworthy: Batres brings speed to the Maroons as a track and field athlete and dancer. … Riggins is an all-around athlete who, like Martinez, can also play quarterback when needed. Borg described Mutolo as a leader who, like Martinez, can do whatever is needed. … “It should be interesting because it’s our first year,” Borg said. “We’ve all learned a lot in a short amount of time. As long as we keep improving, having fun and developing character, the wins will come.” … Borg added that they’ve received great support from the Bears, Gustavo Silva, the athletic department and the administration.

Dundee Crown

Trainer: Kyle Henning (first season)

Top players: Gladys Garcia, Sr., DB; Kiara Arguello, Sr., QB.

Important new additions: Grace DiSilvio, fr., WR; Kerrigan Svec, Fr., RB/LB; Taiyah Boddie Thomas, so., RB/S.

Fenton

Trainer: Mike Berry (second season)

Top players: Brianna DiFronzo, sr., Nicole Staszel, sr. (both captains)

Important new additions: Kendall Mitchell, QB (replaces graduate Ava Bomicino)

Noteworthy: The Bison will host their first girls flag football game this fall. After playing every game last season on the road, Fenton is “extremely excited” to play their first home game. “I think we have a bit of an advantage compared to teams that are just forming this season, just because we have a year of experience under our belts,” Berry said. “That should benefit us in our games this year, both in terms of physical muscle memory and game intelligence.”

Hampshire

Trainer: Dennis Wozniak (first season)

Top players: Avery Tamraz, jr., Dajsha Simpson, sr., Daniela Godinez, sr., Emilia Paulaskas, jr., Gracie Donnelly, jr., Kaetlyn Tonkinson, fr., Kaitlyn Zito, jr., Maggie Haefling, so., Rebecca Lundeford , Jr., Rebecca Rossingnol, Jr.

Hinsdale Central

Trainer: Nicholas Gebhart (first season)

Top players: Ashley Ashbaugh, sr., Audrey Araujo, jr., Chloe Basson, sr., Marija Neskovic, jr., Olivia Elder, jr., Presley Mulligan, sr., Stefani Andrews, sr.

Important new additions: Ella Myall, fr., Emersyn Willits, so., Hannah Darin, fr.

Jacob

Trainer: Jimmy Roberts (first season)

Top players: Aaliyah Guichon, so., Brenna Flaskamp, ​​​​sr., Carly Uehlein, jr., Ella Edgerton, sr., Emily Popilek, fr., Isa Saez, jr., Klaudia Panek, sr., Olivia Fillipp, jr., Vanessa Minasola, so., Sophia Acot, sr.

Noteworthy: Jacobs will field its first flag football team in the fall. The Eagles enter the season with a diverse group of girls, including many who play other sports. “We enjoy working to get better every day, and we’re going to have a great time every time we step on the field this season,” Roberts said.

Aaliyah Guichon, a sophomore at Jacobs High School, grins as she runs the ball as the Chicago Bears and McHenry Community High School held a flag football practice at McCracken Field in July. The Golden Eagles are one of about 20 teams in the Daily Herald’s coverage area that will field a girls flag football team in the fall, the first year the IHSA has declared flag football an official sport.
Patrick Kunzer for Shaw Local/Patrick Kunzer for Shaw Local

rosary

Trainer: David Stumm

Noteworthy: Rosary faced the same problems as many other teams in its first season of introducing a new sport. The Royals originally had only eight girls signed up to play, but after their players recruited friends, they now have 15…. Stumm said his squad will consist of seven seniors, two sophomores and six freshmen, and only one of his players has experience. … “Our goal for the season is simple: to have as much fun as possible,” Stumm said. “And the girls are already doing that by playing football and learning.”

Schaumburg

Trainer: Matthew Gruszka

Top players: Mia Phelps, f., QB/S; Reagan Paulson, f., QB/LB; Martha White, so., WR/LB; Stayan Porter, so., WR/LB; Gianna Tagler, from., RB/CB; Diya Patel, sr., WR/LB

Noteworthy: Gruszka was pleased with the large number of people who took part in the tryouts. “It’s nice to see that there is interest,” said Gruszka. “As the head coach of the girls’ wrestling, I’m used to watching the girls find their way in a new sport that many, if not most, have done before.”

Stevenson

Trainer: Kelsey Manning/Sarah Gutierrez (second season)

Top players: Kate Baird, Sr., QB; Michelle Dubilirer, Sr., Sam Castro, Sr., Sammie Meliker, Sr., Sarah Bende, Jr.

Important new additions: Bella Hill, sr., Emma Yamato, sor., Emma Zivin, sr., Kelsey Krull, sor., Kyla Schneider, jr., Vanessa Magsino, jr.

Noteworthy: Stevenson finished the season 7-2 and made the state playoffs in 2023. The Patriots return talented players from their first season, including veteran signal-caller Kate Baird. “We have a new roster full of athleticism and grit,” Manning said of the key factors to look for in the 2024 season. “We’re trying to capture some of the lightning in the bottle that we had last year.”

Electricity wood

Trainer: Nick Vassolo (second season)

Top players: Aiyana Connolly, sr., CB/WR; Alison Garcia-Moreno, Jr., QB; Kaley Pawlikowski, sr., WR; Najaha Burris, Jr., S/WR; Shaila Anderson, Jr., LB/RB.

Important new additions: Jennifer Soto, v., RB/S; Makayla Ross, v., CB/RB.

Noteworthy: Streamwood returns a ton of talent for the 2024 season. Juniors Shaila Anderson and Najaha Burris were first-team All-Conference last season. Alison Garcia-Moreno, America Martinez and Aiyana Connolly were second-team selections. “Last season was a huge success for our team and a real boost for school spirit,” Vassolo said. “We want to build a strong foundation to be competitive long-term.”

Willowbrook

Trainer: Rachel Karos/Nick Hildreth (third season)

Top players: Analise Beres, sr., Carson Rieger, sor., Ella Stimac, sr., Janelle Adams, sor., Jada Langston, sor., Jazilah Gatlin, jr., Kendall Medinger, sr., Kristin Woods, sr., Leigh Bernardo , su., Lilly Macias, so., Liz Pettinger, so., Loralai McIntyre, sr., Marli Smrz, jr., McKenzie Edison, so., Meri Sutton, sr., Rika Holandi, sr.

Important new additions: Ayanni Gusman, Sr., Daisy Trujillo, Sr., Isabella Gianotti, Sr., Janaeda Abreau, Sr., Naomi Campbell, Sr.

Noteworthy: The Warriors have two all-state players from last season back on the team in junior Marli Smrz and sophomore McKenzie Edison. Willowbrook finished third at the state championships last season after winning the state championship in 2022, their first season. The Warriors’ defense has been strong, allowing just 37 points in two seasons. “We hope to continue to get things done defensively and continue to get our offense good field position to score more points,” Karos said. “One of our biggest strengths is the speed and depth of our team.” Karos is confident her team can respond to any challenges that come their way. “More than anything, we’re excited to continue to grow the game of flag football and provide more opportunities for female athletes in the state of Illinois,” Karos said. “That should be a critical goal and an X-factor for all schools participating in the inaugural IHSA girls flag football season.”