Willowbrook Secures Undefeated Season with Regional Victory

Willowbrook has achieved an impressive milestone by remaining unbeaten throughout the season and capturing the regional championship with a decisive 37-12 victory over St. Edward on March 5, 2025. This triumph took place at their home ground in Villa Park, marking their second consecutive year as regional champions in girls flag football, now recognized as a state-sanctioned sport.

The Warriors, with a perfect record of 19 wins and no losses, will advance to face Naperville Central, which holds a record of 16-3, in the South Elgin Sectional semifinal on Monday at 17:00. Coach Rachel Karos expressed pride in her team’s preparation and adaptability, stating, “We pride ourselves as a coaching staff that we will be more prepared, have options for multiple defenses and things that we can do to have an answer to everything. And all we expect our girls to do is execute and just play hard.”

The match began with a display of Willowbrook’s strong defensive capabilities, as they forced St. Edward to turn over the ball on downs after a lengthy opening drive. It took just three plays for quarterback Marli Smrz to connect with McKenzie Edison for a 51-yard touchdown pass, setting the tone for the game.

As the match progressed, Sarah Gurley, the Green Wave’s quarterback, struggled, throwing three interceptions in a short span. Each interception, two by Carson Rieger and one by Smrz, resulted in touchdowns for the Warriors. Smrz reflected on her performance, noting, “I’ve got high goals for myself. I think last year’s sectionals, I had four interceptions or three, so I’ve got a lot of expectations for myself for sure.”

One of the key highlights was a remarkable 74-yard touchdown run by Janell Adams, who finished the game with 116 yards on just four carries. Smrz added two more touchdown passes to her tally, one to Edison and another to Jada Langston from close range.

The Green Wave managed to score just before halftime, with Savannah Lynch getting on the board after a short touchdown run, bringing the score to 30-6. Willowbrook’s final score came in the third quarter when Adams sprinted for an 18-yard touchdown, solidifying their lead. As the fourth quarter commenced, the Warriors pulled their starters, allowing the bench players to gain valuable experience.

Gurley’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Lynch marked the Green Wave’s final score as time expired, capping off a hard-fought game. St. Edward coach Matthew Lynch praised his team’s growth throughout the season. “I’m proud of them. They need to walk out of this stadium with their heads held high because what they’ve learned, and what they accomplished, and from the first day that we lined up to play and started to where we’re at today? Come on. I mean, that’s a blessing.”

As Willowbrook prepares for their next challenge against Naperville Central, their undefeated season stands as a testament to their determination and commitment to improvement.