Girls flag football notes: Andriano sisters carrying on proud family tradition
Opportunities to shine under Friday Night Lights, significant rule modifications and increased chances to play at the collegiate level headlined the start of the second official season of IHSA girls flag football, which got underway on Aug. 25.
With half the regular season under the flags of players, coaches across the state continue to make adjustments leading up to Oct. 6, the start of the regional playoffs.
Here’s a look at teams finding similar success to their inaugural seasons in Cook and Lake counties, including a spotlight on a trio of sisters maintaining a tradition of family excellence.
Andriano sisters carry on a legacy
Football flows through the veins of the Andriano family.
Under the guidance of head coach Chris Andriano, the Montini Broncos took home six state titles and 12 conference crowns in 38 seasons from 1979-2016.
Nine years removed from his retirement, a new era of Andriano dominance runs the gridiron.
Anna, Kate and Lizzy Andriano, taught by their father Matt, star for Rolling Meadows. The Mustangs (6-4) secured a last-second 26-20 victory at Hersey recently on the backs of spectacular play from the Andriano sisters.
Lizzy, a senior, hauled in what Rolling Meadows head coach Todd Schaap described as a “wicked” diving catch and batted down three passes from her middle linebacker spot, including the game clincher.
Anna, a year younger than Lizzy, snagged a last-minute touchdown pass from junior signal-caller Caylee Del Boccio to take a lead they would not surrender.
Schaap lauded freshman Kate for her play at inside linebacker, noting “you would never know she is a freshman.”
When asked to describe her younger sister Kate in three words, Lizzy said, “hard working, quick and smart.”
Hawks soar to fast start
A state-high 5,301 passing yards and 70 touchdowns from then junior quarterback Aribella Spandiary helped Maine South to a 24-3 record a season ago. With Spandiary and top target Emerson De La Cruz back in 2025, coach Carlos Panizo’s Hawks are off to a 9-1 start.
Although injuries to four starters have thrown a wrench into Panizo’s lineup plans, a strong showing from Spandiary and De La Cruz, along with freshman linebacker Faustina Majka, has the Hawks in early contention for a conference title.
As of last week, Spandiary completed 68% of her passes for 1,738 yards and 28 scores. De La Cruz has provided a nearly unstoppable weapon for Spandiary, totaling 789 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns through 10 games.
Libertyville looks to repeat
Fresh off of a NSC conference championship last year, Libertyville jumped out to an 8-2 start in 2025. Aside from a pair of losses to conference-rival Stevenson by a combined 11 points, the Wildcats have dominated the slate, with a 28-27 victory over Carmel as its sole one-score victory.
Coach Tiffany Rafiner noted quarterback Sophia Swanson and center Ella Pawelcyzk as standout players on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, safety Natalie Schmidt, edge rusher Mary Minogue, and cornerbacks Nina Raniszweski and Kenzie Hughes have been keys to a group that allowed fewer than 10 points in five of its first eight victories.
Antioch thrives with rule changes
Among the changes to the game’s rules implemented this off-season, the shift from a 7-yard pass rush to a 1-yard pass rush caught the attention of most coaches. For coach Tammy Johnson’s Sequoits, the switch has proven beneficial.
“The shift in the pass-rushing rules has actually helped our program,” Johnson said. “We have a lot of speed and are able to make adjustments to the offensive schemes of other teams rather quickly.”
For the defense, sophomore cornerback Reese Queensland has snatched 11 interceptions. She earned the Chicago Bears Athlete of the Week for the week of Sep. 1. At linebacker, freshman Rylee Dunlavy leads the team in tackles (59), sacks, and tackles for loss.
Sophomore quarterback Tanner Ludwig and senior tailback Abby Fuesting complete a formidable duo in the Wildcats’ backfield.
Round Lake readies for homestretch
Among Round Lake’s returnees, junior quarterback Mya Hagi directs the offense with what coach Molly Hennig calls “patience and precision,” uncorking for 2,780 passing yards and 31 touchdowns through the team’s first 13 games in the Panthers’ 8-5 start.
Hagi’s top target, sophomore wide receiver and linebacker Aria Randolph, has recorded 1,020 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, in addition to 67 tackles.
Fellow sophomores Emma Franks and Sophia Beltran have 13 and six touchdowns from their receiver and running back spots, respectively.
“After falling short of their goals last season, the returning players have brought added focus and determination, taking steps to ensure they are better prepared this time around,” Hennig said.
Freshman Swiss Army knife Asia Foster has suited up at center, running back and linebacker for the Panthers, recording 52 tackles and a whopping 19 sacks thus far.