PEORIA, Ill. – High school girls in Illinois will have a new opportunity starting next school year to compete for a state championship.
The Illinois High School Association announced on Wednesday the creation of a State Series for girls flag football. The inaugural championship will take place in October, with more than 100 teams planning to compete. The IHSA says 40 more teams are expected to join in 2025.
Previously, a postseason tourney was conducted by the Chicago Public League in 2021. The CPL then worked with the NFL’s Chicago Bears to host a state championship at Halas Hall in 2022 and 2023.
“The Chicago Bears remain committed to aggressively championing the growth of girls’ flag football. This is the beginning, but access and equity begin with these historical first moments that make the Chicago Bears, and me personally, inspired for the future of girls’ flag football for generations to come,” said Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren.
Peoria Central and Richwoods are expected to field teams in the first season. Peoria Manual is reportedly discussing fielding a team.
Richwoods Athletic Director Jeffrey Crusen says he is excited about a new opportunity for his students.
“If there’s anything that I’ve learned a few months into the job here, our kids love to compete,” Crusen said. “Another opportunity for the girls to get out there and do it in a way that they haven’t had an opportunity before, and traditionally, it’s exciting for us.”
Crusen believes there’s enough interest at Richwoods to field a team, citing the turnout for the traditional Powder Puff games during fall homecoming. But he says the flag football team will be different, with experienced coaching helping guide the players.
Crusen also says there’s opportunities for girls flag football players to earn scholarships.
Most of the teams in the first season will be centered in the Chicago area, with Richwoods and Central being one of the few downstate teams to compete. Crusen says that means creativity will be needed to schedule games.
“We talked about the idea of doing some jamboree-type events where the girls will get to play 2-3 games, maybe on a Saturday, where if we do need to travel up north to the suburbs, to the city of Chicago, wherever it may be,” Crusen said.
Crusen says before those first games can take place, the school will need to hire coaches. They will also need to purchase flags and specialized helmets used in flag football.
A location for the first state finals has yet to be decided on, with the IHSA planning to create a Request for Proposal for hosting.
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