Scouting girls flag football

The IHSA has added girls flag football as an official sport this year. The first state finals will be held Oct. 18-19. Here’s a look at what to expect from some of the schools in the Daily Herald coverage area who are fielding a team.

Conant

Coach: Lorel Cunningham

Worth noting: Like many coaches, Cunningham is glad to see flag football become a state sport. “We are excited to watch this sport grow,” she said..... This is the Cougars’ first year fielding a team.... Cunningham said they have a large sophomore group to mix with several juniors, seniors and freshmen..... "Because we are new, we are looking forward to getting girls involved in learning this new sport, having fun, learning to work as a team, and hopefully being competitive,“ Cunningham said.

Elgin

Coach: David Borg

Top players: Mariangela Batres, sr., WR; Trinity Riggins, fr., QB; Valerie Martinez, so.; Abigail Mutolo, jr., WR

Worth noting: Batres brings speed to the Maroons as a track athlete and dancer. ... Riggins is an all-around athlete, similar to Martinez who can play quarterback if needed. Borg called Mutolo a leader who like Martinez can do whatever is needed. ... “Should be interesting being our first year,” Borg said. “We have all learned a great deal in a small amount of time. As long as we improve, have fun, and develop character, wins will come.” ... Borg added they have received great support from the Bears, Gustavo Silva, the athletic department and the administration.

Dundee-Crown

Coach: Kyle Henning (first season)

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

Key newcomers: Grace DiSilvio, fr., WR; Kerrigan Svec, fr., RB/LB; Taiyah Boddie Thomas, so., RB/S.

Fenton

Coach: Mike Berry (second season)

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

Key newcomers: Kendall Mitchell, QB (replacing graduate Ava Bomicino)

Worth noting: The Bison will host their first girls flag football game this fall. After playing every game on the road last season, Fenton is “extremely excited” to play their first home game. “I do believe that we do hold some advantage simply by having a year worth of experience under our belts compared to teams that are just forming this season,” Berry said. “This should benefit us with both the physical muscle memory and game intelligence during our matches this year.”

Hampshire

Coach: 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

Coach: 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.

Key newcomers: Ella Myall, fr., Emersyn Willits, so., Hannah Darin, fr.

Jacobs

Coach: 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, fr., Vanessa Minasola, so., Sophia Acot, sr.

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

Prospect

Coach: Monica Donner-Fogle

Top players: Elizabeth McDonough, QB; Defensive players: Bella Parish, Ella Daly, Mia Tuchner, Sabrina Faraci, Sienna Murray; Offensive players; Makaylah Mosby, Sadie Splinter and Amalia Andrews, Gianna Catanzano.

Worth noting: “Very excited to be a part of a brand new female sports opportunity and looking forward to making history at Prospect High School as the first ever flag football team,” Donner-Fogle said. “I have an incredible staff.” That staff includes varsity offensive coordinator Seth Hettell, varsity defensive coordinator Michael Bosco, JV offensive coordinator Steve Thompson and JV defensive coordinator Michelle Tantillo.

Rosary

Coach: David Stumm

Worth noting: Rosary faced problems several teams do in its first season adding a new sport. The Royals originally only had eight girls sign up to play, but after their players recruiting friends, they now have 15.... Stumm said his roster will have seven seniors, two sophomores and six freshmen, and only one of his players has experience. ... “Our goal for the season simple: have as much fun as possible,” Stumm said. “And the girls are already doing that by playing and learning the game of football.”

Schaumburg

Coach: Matthew Gruszka

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

Worth noting: Gruszka was pleased by the numbers who came to tryouts. “It is good to see the interest is there,” Gruszka said. “Since I am the head girls wrestling coach, I am kind of used to watching the girls navigate a new sport that many if not most have done before.”

Stevenson

Coach: Kelsey Manning/Sarah Gutierrez (second season)

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

Key newcomers: Bella Hill, sr., Emma Yamato, so., Emma Zivin, sr., Kelsey Krull, so., Kyla Schneider, jr., Vanessa Magsino, jr.

Worth noting: Stevenson finished 7-2 and made the state playoffs in 2023. The Patriots return talented players from their first season, including senior signal caller Kate Baird. “Having a new roster full of athleticism and grit,” said Manning on keys to look for in the 2024 season. “We are trying to capture some of that lightning in a bottle we had last year.”

Streamwood

Coach: 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.

Key newcomers: Jennifer Soto, fr., RB/S; Makayla Ross, fr., CB/RB.

Worth noting: Streamwood returns an immense amount of talent for the 2024 season. Juniors Shaila Anderson and Najaha Burris were first team all-conference a season ago. Alison Garcia-Moreno, America Martinez, and Aiyana Connolly received second team honors. “Last season was a great success for our team and a real boost for school spirit,” Vassolo said. “We are looking to build a strong foundation to be competitive in the long run.”

Willowbrook

Coach: Rachel Karos/Nick Hildreth (third season)

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

Key newcomers: Ayanni Gusman, sr., Daisy Trujillo, sr., Isabella Gianotti, sr., Janaeda Abreau, sr., Naomi Campbell, sr.

Worth noting: The Warriors return two all-state players from a season ago in junior Marli Smrz and sophomore McKenzie Edison. Willowbrook finished third at state a season ago after winning the state championship in 2022, their inaugural season. The Warrior defense has been stout, giving up just 37 total points in two seasons. “We hope to continue to get things done on the defensive end and continue to give our offense great field position to get more points on the board,” Karos said. “A major strength of ours is speed and the depth of our team.” Karos is confident in her team’s ability to respond to any challenges thrown their way. “We are mostly excited to be continuing to grow the game of flag football and provide more opportunities for female athletes in the state of Illinois,” Karos said. “Which should be a crucial goal and X-factor for all schools competing in the first ever IHSA girls flag football season.”