Flag football has been an IHSA sport for two years and in both years, Stagg has made a mockery of the postseason seedings.
Last year, the Chargers won a regional title from the ninth seed. And after nine seniors graduated from that team, Stagg just got done winning a regional as the seventh seed.
The Chargers (11-8) knocked off second-seeded Homewood-Flossmoor 28-20 in the Rich Regional final on Oct. 8. They were scheduled to play third-seeded Hillcrest in the Rich Sectional on Oct. 13 with the sectional final taking place the next day.
Lyons and St. Laurence also won regional titles and were scheduled to play in the Hinsdale South Sectional.
The state finals are slated for Oct. 17-18 at Willowbrook.
Stagg, which made a state finals appearance in 2023 when flag football was still a club sport sponsored by the Chicago Bears, has enjoyed playing the underdog role.
“I tell them not to look at our record and to look at our growth,” Stagg coach Saja Alnajjar said. “Our record was our time to learn throughout the season. Playoffs is where we restart everything and show them what they can do.”
Stagg has no seniors on the roster. After opening the season with a 71-0 win over Reavis, the Chargers lost their next four games and went on a rollercoaster ride the rest of the way.
“It was hard getting to the regional championships, so winning it was definitely a reward for how hard we worked,” junior receiver/running back Victoria Perez said.
Stephanie Chandler, a junior center who was named second-team all-state by the Bears, is happy to get this opportunity to play a sport that didn’t exist on the IHSA level until last year.
“I never imagined that I would be doing this,” Chandler said. “I never heard about it until my sophomore year.”
Two-way junior Kaj Fears wanted in on the action right away but waited a year.
“I love watching football so I wanted to come out and play myself,” she said. “I actually came to the tryouts (in 2023), but things didn’t work out that year. Way after the season, I told the coach, ‘I’m going to play for you next season.’’’
Alnajjar is building a strong foundation in Palos Hills.
“More girls are coming out each and every year and they are enjoying it each and every year,” she said. “It’s having a great reputation and everyone is having a great time.”
Top golfers
State golf took place on Oct. 10-11 at various courses in central Illinois.
Lyons senior Garrett Pohl led the area in Class 3A boys, tying for 18th with a 150.
Nazareth sophomore Axel Perez was the top local finisher in Class 2A boys, tying for 36th with a 156.
In Class 2A girls golf, Sandburg senior Katie Wehlus led the area, tying for 24th with a 155.
Net gains
Winning girls tennis conference titles were Argo in the South Suburban Red and Sandburg in the Southwest Suburban.