Girls flag football: Prospect, St. Charles North advance to state quarterfinals

Only two months into her high school flag football career, Prospect quarterback Madelyn Searle has quickly made a name for herself.

After claiming the starting job just days before their season opener, she helped lead the Knights to an eye-opening win over defending state champion Maine South back in August.

Fast forward to the postseason — the freshman sensation has now thrown 52 touchdown passes and is a sectional champion after unbeaten Prospect (19-0) claimed a 38-13 victory over Schaumburg in the Glenbrook South sectional final Tuesday in Glenview.

The Knights advance to the state quarterfinals to face Hononegah at 6 p.m. Friday in Villa Park.

“This is my first time playing flag,” said Searle, still catching her breath after throwing for four touchdowns against the Saxons (15-5).

“I played in the camp with Prospect over the summer, but this is my first time coming in, and I'm just, like, so grateful for the opportunity,” added Searle. “I feel like I've done a pretty good job at it.”

If over 3,700 passing yards, a 71.4 completion percentage, and a 52-to-five touchdown-to-interception ratio were not convincing enough, Searle has also added over 1,200 yards and 21 scores on the ground.

“Madeline's just a special player,” said Prospect head coach Kyle Pfister. “She can run, she's quick, but she's (also) really smart and handles pressure well.

“It's really rare to have a freshman that handles intense situations as calmly as she does, and she just makes good decisions consistently,” added Pfister.

Searle got the action started with a first-quarter pass to wide receiver Taryn Sorensen that brought her combined touchdown total to 70 this fall.

She finished the night with 73 after finding Claire Happ, Amalia Andrews, and Tess Brennan for scores throughout the remainder of the contest.

“I'm obviously just here to win. It's not just about me, it's about my team,” Searle said. “I'm so glad that I have all these amazing stats and stuff, but I'm glad to share the ball with my team and help everyone out just to win.”

Searle is a three-sport athlete who plans on playing point guard in basketball this winter and wing on the soccer field in the spring.

The win was never in doubt against Schaumburg, as Prospect jumped to a 19-0 halftime lead and led 32-0 before the Saxons got on the board.

Gretchen Heckard added a touchdown in the third quarter that helped put the game out of reach.

“We’re really confident in what we do on offense and on defense,” Pfister said.

Elsewhere in the bracket, undefeated St. Charles North — a 27-12 winner over Oswego East — will join the Knights in Villa Park when they face Evanston, a 7-6 winner over No. 1 seed Maine South, at 2:30 p.m. Friday.

St. Ignatius plays Marist and Lyons Twp. faces Bradley-Bourbonnais in the other two quarterfinal games on Friday.