The rise in girls flag football has been swift.
Look no further than St. Laurence.
Just three years ago, coach Steve Vodicka tried to start it up as a club sport.
“We had an open gym prior to our first season and only three or four girls showed up,” he said.
Last year, the IHSA sanctioned the sport and the Vikings had a successful season, which included winning the Hinsdale Central Regional title, 20-8 over Sandburg.
So in August, Vodicka enjoyed seeing the turnout.
“From three or four girls showing up to three years later, we had close to 50 girls show up for tryouts,” he said. “It’s been amazing just to see the transformation from then to now.”
The Vikings won 16 of their first 20 games. They are seeded third in the 28-team Hinsdale South Sectional.
Regional competition starts Oct. 6 and there are 223 teams entered, compared to 154 in 2024.
Senior quarterback Hazel Diaz has thrown for more than 700 yards for the Vikings in her first 13 games. Sophomore McKenzie Saffold had 910 yards in her first 14 games to go along with 659 receiving yards. Sara Burzycki had 36 catches for 852 yards in her first 11 games. She also had seven interceptions on defense.
Other area teams that could make some noise in the postseason are Lyons, which is seeded first at Hinsdale South, and Marist, which drew the No. 4 seed at the Rich Sectional.
SXU football rolling
St. Xavier’s football team won its second straight game, 31-10 on Sept. 27 at Lawrence Tech in a Mid-States Football League crossover game.
Tyreese Lee ran for 155 yards and Andrew graduate Dominic D’Ambrosio threw for 142 yards and ran for two touchdowns for the Cougars (2-2).
The Cougars visit Defiance (2-1) at noon Oct. 11 in another crossover.
Lions are gold in Silver
Lyons won the boys golf West Suburban Silver Tournament with a 286 on Sept. 24 at Prairie Bluff. Senior Finley Tyrell fired a 70 to finish second while teammates Garrett Pohl and Ben Hare tied for third with 71s.
Richards’ Nathan Masek won the South Suburban Red individual title Sept. 22 at Cog Hill by firing a 75. The Bulldogs won the meet with a 337.
At the Catholic League Tournament Sept. 22 at Cog Hill, Mount Carmel senior Santino Pilotto tied for second with a 71.
Nazareth’s Sam Wilda took third in the East Suburban Catholic Tournament Sept. 22 at Wedgewood.
In girls golf, Sandburg senior Brooke Adams took third at the SouthWest Suburban Meet Sept. 24 at Green Garden with a 75.
Golf regionals opened play this week.
Knights win Rivals Cup
Chicago Christian’s boys soccer team won its first Rivals Cup Championship in Manteno on Sept. 28 with a 2-1 win over the hosts,
Garret Murphy scored what turned out to be the game-winner with five minutes left.
Casey Lenarz was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, while Josh Sedakis and Maloni made it to the all-tournament team.