Flag football season has returned! We asked our coaches to tell them more about their teams. Here’s what they had to say.
*Coaches were contacted multiple times for this exercise. Those responses are below. Don’t see your team? Email Michael Wojtychiw at mmwojtychiw@cps.edu.
School name: Disney II Magnet HS
Last season’s record: 4-3 (in conference)
Social media handle: @disneyiiflag (insta)
Returning starters (name, class, position):
Dazjha Moore – Captain, QB, Safety – class of 2027
Mara Rodriguez – Rusher, Center, Receiver – class of 2029
Precious O’Malley – RB, DB, Receiver – class of 2027
Sadaria Morris – RB, Safety, Rusher – class of 2028
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Alonna Winsley – DB, Center, WR – class of 2028
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Jasmine Mendiola – Kicker – class of 2028
Janelle Lewis – Center – class of 2029
Mia Rodriguez – Receiver – class of 2029
Briseyda Rodriguez – Receiver, DB – class of 2030
Ashley Perez – Receiver, DB – class of 2027
Games to watch:
Senior Night Game- 9/21 4:30 PM at Roosevelt HS vs. Roosevelt
Coach’s season outlook: We lost 10 seniors last year and are in the midst of a rebuild. Our newcomers are fast learners and are naturally athletic. We moved from the north division to the west so we will be playing mostly new teams this season with some repeating teams scheduled for non-conference games.
Coaches remain consistent going into this year- head coach: Alyssa Pinones assistant coach: Natalia Taaffe
School name: Kenwood
Last Year’s Record: 25-7
Key returnees: The entire offensive unit, led by 2x All-Stater Ariah Butts, returns.
Key Games: host King (Sept. 5), host Young (Sept. 14)
Coach’s season outlook: Coming off of a 25-win season and strong state tournament run, our expectations remain high. We have a solid core of returning starters paired with talented underclassmen who are ready to step up. Our goal this season is to stay disciplined, execute on both sides of the ball, and make a deep run into the IHSA state playoffs.
Coming off of a perfect summer, the Broncos enter the season with a target on their backs and championship mindset.
School name: Lake View
Last season’s record: 2-5
Social media handle: @lake_viewhs
College commits (if available):
Returning starters (name, class, position):
- Nat Mendez, Senior. Plays: Center, WR, and Safety
- Syrena Ross, Senior. Plays: RB, WR, and Safety
- Jazlene Zamot, Senior. Plays: Center and Rusher
- Karen Guachun (Captain), Senior. Plays: WR and Nickel
- Brielle Heitz, Senior: Plays. WR and Cornerback
- Maria Perez Lopez, Senior. Plays: Cornerback, Nickel, WR
- Sofia Rivera, Sophomore. Plays: Cornerback, Safety, and Nickel.
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
- Mayrin Andres-Vega, Senior. Plays: Nickel, WR, and Safety
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
- Neyshali Santiago, Junior (Captain). Plays: QB and Safety
- Yaretzi Martinez, Sophomore. Plays: QB, WR, and Nickel
- Haley Magana, Sophomore: Plays: RB, WR, and Rusher
Games to watch:
- 8/27 – non-conference game against Mather
- 9/05 – vs. Steinmetz
- 9/17 – vs. non-conference game against Amundson
Coach’s season outlook:
- Lake View has a really strong team this year. The addition of coach Jonathan Sturm has improved Lake View’s technical ability. This year also sees the addition of two new QBs – both with strong arms and a keen eye. Three returning players Nat, Syrena, and Jazlene have been on the team since its inception and serve as a strong trio of mentors for our new and younger players.
School name: Lindblom
Returning starters (name, class, position and honors):
Samaria Crowder: senior, qb, All City- 3rd team
Daniyah Liggins: senior, RB and DB
Kaitlyn Gaines: senior, Safety
Cydnee Johnson: junior, WR
Nyalah Williams: sophomore, WR
Wynter Jones: sophomore, Safety
Amiya Knight: junior, Center
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Taylor Harris: senior, WR
Ginger Henderson: junior, LB
Shayuana Harris: senior, Center
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Leah Crowder: junior, Rusher
Peyton Boatright: freshman, RB, DB
Games to watch:
Lindblom vs CHSAS 9/24
Coach’s season outlook:
We have a smaller team, but have a large senior class who is looking to do big things! We are bringing the energy and intensity this year and leaving it all in the field.
School name: Perspectives Leadership
Last season’s record: 22-4; White conference champions, Regional championship, sectional championship, downstate qualifier, 4th place in state
Social media handle: Instagram: @plcladywarriorsflagfootball
Returning starters:
Chayanne Harvey / SR/ DB, C
Tiana Barker WR, S
Lakyla Gayden/ SR/ C, DB
Angel Green / SR / R, P
Jasmine Turner/ Jr./ ATH
Returning Non-Starters:
Ariya Perkins/ Jr./ LB, WR
Zaria Anderson-Clark / Jr./ QB, S
Kyla Green /Jr./ R, S
Myliegh Wilson / SO/ WR ,B
Ariel Smitherman / SO/ WR
Brooke Scott / SO / WR, B
Top Newcomers:
JaKeyah Johnson / SR / WR, S
Destiny Watkins / SR/ R,LB
Games to Watch:
9/1 vs. CHSAS
9/9 vs Simeon
Coach’s season outlook:
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of bringing the best out of our girls this season. This is my first year as the head coach and we’re a young team, so we have to find ways to play to our strengths, because we’re still going to get everyone’s best each and every game with teams understanding our program’s success the last three years. We’re up for the challenge.”
School name: Rickover Naval Academy
Last season’s record: 9-4
Returning (name, class, position):
Jenelly Rodriguez, Jr (QB, WR)
Emily Torres, Sr (Center)
Sophia Lopez, Sr (LB)
Mia Castillo, Jr (LB, R, CB, S)
Litzy Estrada. Sr (LB, S, CB)
Sofia Fuentes Jr (WR, QB)
Isabella Gallardo Sr (WR, R)
Adamaris Peralta Jr (R, CB)
Emily Sanchez Sr (R, CB)
Melissa Sanchez Jr (Punter, C, WR)
Alyssa Scott Jr (R, CB, S)
Sherlin Urostegui So (R, CB)
Juliana Senorski Sr (R, CB,)
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Soraya Alvarez Fr (Backup QB, WR)
Dania Espinoza Fr (WR)
Destinee Friend Sr (WR, RB)
Maya Manriquez Sr (S, LB, CB)
Kaibeliz Ortiz Fr (WR, RB)
Coach’s season outlook: Capitalizing on the experience gained last season and supported by a talented incoming freshman class, our roster is well-positioned for growth. As we transition into a new conference, we look forward to developing our young talent, competing at a high level, and establishing our presence