The inaugural Illinois High School Association girls flag football season is in full swing and is providing a new avenue for female athletes across the state.
With flag football becoming an Olympic sport in 2028, there is speculation its popularity will soar over the next several years.
Girls flag football has drawn enough interest from Illinois schools to coax the IHSA to sanction its first new sport since boys and girls lacrosse in 2018. Flag football had until this season been an unofficial sport sponsored by the Chicago Bears.
Stagg, one of 14 area schools fielding teams this season, advanced to the state quarterfinals in 2023. Four members of that team are back, and the Chargers won six of their first 11 games this year.
For Chargers quarterback Julia Jarecki, having flag football as an athletics option is more important than win-loss records at this point.
“It’s a new sport and it’s something I thought would be amazing to be a part of,” said Jarecki, of Palos Park. “It’s great that girls are getting into football. It’s a growing sport and it’s amazing that girls are getting involved.
“It’s extremely enjoyable to play and watch. To be able to support your team … it’s just a beautiful environment.”
Being a quarterback has its ups and downs. Just as Caleb Williams — or Jarecki — knows.
“I love football, but this is definitely more stressful than I thought it would be,” she said. “There is a lot of pressure. Other than that, it’s super-fun.”
The Chargers defeated Sandburg, 30-6, on Sept. 19 in the first showdown between the District 230 schools.
Stagg’s Madeline Wachtel (13) and Julia Jarecki celebrate a touchdown against Sandburg on Sept. 19 in Palos Hills. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Stagg senior Madeline Wachtel scored two touchdown catches and three interceptions in the win.
“She’s been doing this all year,” Stagg coach Saja Alnajjar said of Wachtel. “She’s fast. She’s determined. She’s very approachable. She takes her mistakes and learns from them.”
Jarecki said Wachtel “catches everything.”
“It does not matter if the pass is a little bit to the side or a little too far, No. 13 is my most reliable wide receiver,” she added.
This is the first flag football experience for Wachtel, who said she didn’t know Stagg had a team until after tryouts last season. Now, she is not only fitting in, she is also thriving.
“I played a lot of sports – volleyball, basketball, softball and lacrosse,” she said. “I played basically everything. It just kind of comes naturally.”
Playoff Assignments
The assignments for the first flag football postseason have been released.
St. Laurence, Catalyst/Maria, Kennedy, Marist, Mother McAuley, Sandburg and Stagg will be in the 20-team Perspectives/Leadership Sectional.
Back of the Yards, Curie, De La Salle, Hubbard, Solorio and Lyons are in the 21-team Whitney Young Sectional.
Morton is in the 21-team Lane Sectional.
Regional action takes place Oct. 7-10 and sectionals are Oct. 15-16. The state finals are Oct. 18-19 at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park.
Stagg coach Saja Alnajjar poses with her team after a win over Sandburg Sept. 19. Photo by Jeff Vorva