JOE PEARSON PHOTO
Willowbrook High School’s girls flag football program completed its memorable inaugural season by playing at the NFL FLAG Championships, which took place recently in Henderson, Nevada, near Las Vegas. In October, the Warriors won the title at the Girls Flag Football State Championship at the Chicago Bears’ facility at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. In November, the Warriors’ Black team won five straight games to capture a title at the NFL FLAG Regional Tournament in Canton, Ohio. Winning the regional championship in Ohio secured a berth in the national competition in Nevada, which began on Friday, Feb. 3. The Warriors played three games in Henderson on Friday, Feb. 3. Unfortunately, Willowbrook lost all three contests, falling 21-7 and 28-0 before losing a 7-6 overtime battle. Willowbrook played one more game in Nevada, losing 28-0 on Saturday, Feb. 4. Members of the Warriors, pictured left to right at the national competition, are: (front row) freshman Marli Smrz (Villa Park), senior Emily Pearson (Lombard), senior Rimon Kari (Villa Park), junior Jaydah Smith (Villa Park) and senior Olivia Brach (Lombard); (back row) junior Emma Anderlik (Lombard), senior Kayleigh Dennison (Lombard), senior Roslyn Sanchez (Lombard), senior Kennedy Vannoy (Villa Park) and senior Sarah Ball (Villa Park). The team’s coaches are Rachel Karos and Nick Hildreth.
