Girls flag football: Scouting DuPage County and the Fox Valley
Girls flag football is back for its second official season as an IHSA sport. Here’s a look at what to expect from teams in Fox and DuPage counties.
(Note: Teams with last year’s record listed as N/A are entering their first season as an official IHSA squad.)
DuPage County
Addison Trail
Coaches: Head coach: Jenn Schulmeister; assistant coaches: Kendrick Thomas, Megan King, Danielle Spain
Last year’s record: 14-4
Players to watch: Leilani Garcia, so., WR/LB; Evolet Mata, so., WR/FS; Diana Rodriguez, sr., RB/WR/CB; Elina Rodriguez, sr., QB/WR; Dalila Stiglich; RB/CB
Worth noting: Addison Trail won a regional championship last year led by All-State athlete Erin Parker and Emma Caniglia, the squad’s signal caller who earned a flag football scholarship to Illinois Wesleyan. “With graduating 13 seniors from the 2024-25 season, we will be leaning on our returning varsity athletes to lead our young and growing group of athletes,” Schulmeister said. “We are excited to see our returning and new athletes jump into leadership roles and continue the hard work and success that the previous two teams have established at Addison Trail.”
Benet
Coaches: Head coach: Joe Cabay; assistant coach: Greg Frey
Last year’s record: N/A
Players to watch: Giada McGlynn, Ava Mersinger, Bridget Riffenberg
Worth noting: “We are looking forward to a competitive season ahead,” Cabay said. “There has been great interest at Benet Academy in the sport.”
Downers Grove South
Coaches: Head coach: Lance Allen; assistant coaches: Lyndsie Long, Matt Quatman
Last year’s record: N/A
Players to watch: Abby Armstrong, so., QB; Mila Kosanovic-Cruise, sr., WR; Rhianna Dudley, jr., RB; Abby Grey, fr., ATH; Ionna Griffin, jr., RB; Emily Malott, so., WR
Worth noting: The Mustangs will play their first game of the season against rival Downers Grove North on Aug. 27. “We look to have an exciting, high paced team that plays fast,” Allen said.
Glenbard South
Coaches: Head coach: Julie Fonda; assistant coach: Aly Miller
Last year’s record: N/A (4-10 as club team)
Players to watch: Nicole Castillo, sr., RB/LB; Genevive Corbin, sr., QB/WR/S; Emily Everett, jr., WR; Emi Kuns, sr., WR/LB
Worth noting: “We are excited to be a part of this emerging sport,” Fonda said.
Hinsdale Central
Coaches: Head coach: Nick Gebhart; assistant coach: Maria Cotter
Last year’s record: 2-9
Players to watch: Audrey Araujo, sr., DB; Violet Masood, jr., WR; Emerson Willits, jr., QB
Worth noting: The Red Devils finished last season strong, winning two of their final three games.
Hinsdale South
Coaches: Head coach: Janelle Marconi; assistant coach: Nate Wolkow
Last year’s record: 9-3
Players to watch: Zoe Allen, sr., DB; Callie Carr, sr., QB; Jejiyha Jones, jr., DE; Slone Kiefer, sr., S; Autumn Lambke, sr., C; Kennedy Ruff, sr., WR; Briasia Satterfield, sr., DB; Dulce Serna, sr., DB; Emilija Sinkevicius, sr., RB; Ka’Miyah Spruill, so., DE
Worth noting: Hinsdale South fielded 48 players this season and established a junior varsity team. Key contributors to watch include Anyla Shanklin (sr., WR), Karsen Smith (so., DB), along with several promising newcomers. “Following a strong inaugural season last year, the team is building on valuable experience and looking to raise its level of play on both sides of the ball,” Marconi said. “With a focus on teamwork, discipline and maximizing individual strengths, the coaching staff expects greater success this season.”
Lake Park
Coaches: Head coach: Pete Kolzow; assistant coaches: Ben Hetelle, Amanda Perna, Daina Riser
Last year’s record: N/A
Worth noting: Kolzow said the Lancers have had great numbers at summer camp and tryouts for the opening season.
Naperville Central
Coaches: Head coach: Caroline Schwartz; assistant coaches: Maria Connell, Megan Pawelkiewicz, Kaelyn Pettit
Last year’s record: N/A
Players to watch: Lyla Hope, sr., QB; Rosena Mazza, so., RB/DE; Malia Shen, sr., WR/CB; Nicole Smith, sr., WR/LB
Worth noting: The Redhawks are excited about how their first season is shaping up. “In our inaugural season we have 50 girls, two teams and a lot of athleticism,” Schwartz said. “Keys to success for this season will be locking in on defense and screen blocking on offense.”
St. Francis
Coaches: Head coach: Dan Holleman; assistant coaches: Kate Kowalski, Maggie Remus, Abby Snyder
Last year’s record: 13-12
Players to watch: Megan Maertens, sr., WR/S/P; Fiana Murphy, fr., QB; Ashley Powell, sr., WR/S; Allie Sheldon, jr., RB/DE/PR; Hannah Willix, fr., RB/DE
Worth noting: The Spartans defense, led by Mackenzie Polley (MLB), looks to set the tone, with five returning starters. Running back standout Allie Sheldon will try to build on her all-state season when she led the team with 2,351 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns. “The Murphy sisters, Maeve (so.) and Fiana (fr.), will share the quarterback duties, leading a potent Spartans offense,” Holleman said.
Timothy Christian
Coaches: Head coaches: Nigel Pinson, Bill Ridder
Last year’s record: N/A
Players to watch: Maria Pozdol Niego, sr., QB
Worth noting: Ridder has seen a lot to like as the Trojans get ready for their first season. “With this being our inaugural season, our primary focus has been on building a strong foundation and establishing a culture of excellence from day one,” Ridder said. “While our upperclassmen have risen to the occasion by providing crucial leadership, one of the most exciting developments has been the exceptional quality and depth of our underclassmen. The skill, dedication and rapid progress shown by our freshmen and sophomores have been truly remarkable. This powerful combination of veteran guidance and promising young talent ensures that we are not just building a team for our first season, but laying the groundwork for a competitive and successful program for years to come.”
Willowbrook
Coaches: Head coach: Rachel Karos; assistant coaches: Nicki Griffith, Nick Hildreth, Nicole Matheson, Terrence Miller
Last year’s record: 21-6
Players to watch: Janell Adams, jr., RB/DE; Leigh Bernardo, sr., RB/DE; McKenzie Edison, jr., WR/DB; Belle Knudtson, fr., WR/CB; Jada Langston, jr., WR/LB; Lillian Macias, jr., WR/LB; Liz Pettinger, jr., WR/CB; Carson Rieger, jr., WR/CB/LB; Kennedy Rieger, fr., WR/CB; Marli Smrz, sr., QB/WR/S
Worth noting: Willowbrook won regional and sectional championships last season, advancing to the Elite Eight of the state playoffs. “Looking ahead to the 2025 season, we have our sights set on reclaiming the state title and continuing our run as a respectable program,” Karos said. “With a strong coaching staff, elite players, and a culture built on preparation and pride, we are primed for another exciting campaign. The focus this year will be on execution, developing young talent, and staying ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape as more schools across Illinois invest in girls flag football.”
York
Coaches: Head coach: Matt Bold; assistant coaches: Stevan Dobric, Joe Dodson, Daniele Stubner
Last year’s record: N/A
Players to watch: Josie Burns, sr., RB; Hannah Peterson, so., DB; Lena Martinelli, so., WR Lily Zmrhal, so. S
Worth noting: York has a lot to be optimistic about in its first season as an IHSA sport. “Many freshmen are showing promising skill sets as well,” Bold said. “Last year was a club team; we started late and the commitment level was not strong. Starting fresh this year, we hope to establish a foundation for the program to build upon for the future. Our team values include commitment, discipline and a positive attitude. As we are all learning this new game, there will be mistakes, but this is part of the learning process. The goal is to get a little better each and every day.”
Fox Valley
Bartlett
Coaches: Head coach: Jen Cesario; assistant coach: Patti O’Connell-Puklin
Last year’s record: 4-10
Players to watch: Delilah Terry, sr., DE
Worth noting:“We are building upon our previous success of last season, notably building our relationships with the ever growing women’s flag football college opportunities,” Cesario said. “Last year, starting QB Deanna Cirebea was offered to play DIII football at Illinois Wesleyan University. We are looking forward to breaking open those doors for additional female athletes.”
Cary-Grove
Coaches: Head coach: Cara Neff; assistant coaches: Jason Nawracaj, Amy Clement
Last year’s record: N/A
Players to watch: Maddie Dieschbourg, sr., RB; Kennedy Manning, sr., QB; Holly Streit, sr. WR
Worth noting: The aforementioned players bring in a plethora of varsity experience playing other sports. “With their leadership and competitive drive, they should guide our team toward a strong and successful first year that’s focused on growth,” Neff said.
Dundee-Crown
Coaches: Head coach: Kyle Henning; assistant coach: Kelly Madison
Last year’s record: 4-14
Players to watch: Leiah Hjerpe, so., WR; Skylar Noe, jr., LB; Eliana Rodriguez, sr., LB; Kerrigan Svec, so., WR
Worth noting:“Our numbers at tryouts this year have doubled from last year,” Henning said. “With this large turnout, we are excited to be able to really grow the knowledge, skills and love of the game.”
Hampshire
Coaches: Head coach: Dennis Wozniak; assistant coach: Jacob Crenshaw
Last year’s record: 7-11
Players to watch: Nevaeh Brown, sr., WR/DB; Gracie Donnelly, sr., WR/DB; Rebecca Lunceford, sr., RB/LB; Emilia Paulauskas, sr., WR/DB; Rebecca Rossingnol, sr., RB/LB; Ava Sanchez, sr., WR/DB; Avery Tamraz, sr., C; Kaitylyn Zito, sr., WR/DB
Worth noting: Wozniak noted the importance of the quarterback adjusting to the one-yard rush rule change. “We have many new faces this year, so seeing how they adjust to being in a game they have never played before [is a key to success],” Wozniak said.
Larkin
Coaches: Head coach: Andrew Weber; assistant coach: Chelsea Fernandez
Last year’s record: N/A
Players to watch: Moriah Chandler, sr., QB; Kenira Johnson, sr., RB/WR; Abby Mota, jr., DB; Janiyah Nicholson, jr., WR/DB; Chelsea Xaycosy, sr., C
Rosary
Coaches: Head Coach: Dave Stumm; Assistant Coach: Christian Tolentino
Last year’s record: 7-7
Players to watch: Clara Bello, jr., QB; Arden Contaldo, jr., RB/LB; Zoe Mesner, so., OFF/DEF; Izzy Tolentino, so., OFF/DEF
Worth noting: The Royals graduated the majority of last year’s team, with only five players returning. “With a combination of the returning players sharing positive feedback to classmates, added to the buzz of IHSA girls flag football, we now have a roster of 33 players,” Stumm said. “While the team is young, they are focused on learning the game of football and more importantly, having fun.”
St. Charles East
Coaches: Head coach: Zachary Hendry; assistant coaches: Chad Theis, Samantha Batka
Last year’s record: N/A
Players to watch: Ari Bigda, jr., QB; Addie Schilb, sr., WR
Worth noting: Led by upperclassmen leaders and standout multi-sport athletes, the Saints will lean on talent from the basketball, softball, soccer, wrestling and other programs. Coaches say keys to success include mastering the game’s rules and building strong fundamentals to unlock the team’s full potential and all that the sport has to offer.
St. Charles North
Coaches: Head coach: Mike Taormina; assistant coaches: Ashley Jackson, Brian Tomalak, Josh Westerfield
Last year’s record: N/A
Players to watch: Elle Fuhr, sr., WR; Alexandria Richardson, jr., RB/WR/DB; Kaelie Tomalak, jr., QB/DB
Worth noting:“Our team is eager to build on the foundation set last year as a club sport,” Taormina said. “With a strong mix of returning players and new talent. We’re looking forward to competing at a high level and representing St. Charles North this IHSA season.”
St. Edward
Coaches: Head coach: Matthew Lynch; assistant coach: Michelle Dawson
Last year’s record: N/A
Worth noting: Lynch coached Fenton’s football team from 2017 to 2022. Dawson is the school’s girls basketball coach. “This being our first season, we are excited to lay the foundation for our program and establish a culture built on hard work, teamwork and continuous improvement,” Lynch said. “Our players have embraced the challenge of learning the game, supporting each other and competing with energy every day. The key to our success will be our ability to grow together, adapt to new situations and play with confidence. We may be new to flag football, but this group has shown determination, resilience and a genuine love for the sport. These qualities will serve us well as we build for the future.”
Streamwood
Coaches: Head coach: Nick Vassolo; assistant coaches: CJ Nemec, Judy Dalka
Last year’s record: 3-16
Players to watch: Najaha Burris, sr., CB; Allison Garicia-Moreno, sr., QB/LB; Diane Gomez, fr., WR; America Martinez, sr., C/LB
Worth noting: Streamwood had a well-attended summer camp, revamping its squad from 14 to 42 players this season, which includes a junior varsity team. “As a growing program, we are still navigating the waters of some stiff competition that surrounds us,” Vassolo said. “The goal for this year is to have a stable team that consistently performs to the best of its ability throughout the season. We have some exciting players joining us this year and are eager to see how they contribute to the team.”
West Aurora
Coaches: Head coach: Jordyn McFarlane; assistant coach: Molly Etheridge
Last year’s record: 13-4
Players to watch: Sarahi Carlos, jr., QB; Aiyanah Sylvester, jr., RB; Gisseslle Torres, jr., WR/DB; Gracie Del Torro, jr., WR
Worth noting: West Aurora won a sectional championship a season ago. “This year’s West Aurora team is an athletic bunch of ladies,” McFarlane said. “We have 10 returning athletes with the addition of six new athletes. We are eager to continue where we left off last season and come back faster, stronger and competitive.”