Making history is not a rare occurrence for the girls flag football team. In fact, they have made historical feats, unlike many other teams at ETHS. The girls flag football team at Evanston was established just last year and they ended their season with huge first season successes. This year, their program truly came to life as they qualified for the state championship and made school history.
Flag football ended their regular season with a record of 17-8. In regionals and sectionals, they managed to defeat top-ranked teams such as Maine South. Maine South had beaten Evanston twice before, meaning the Kits had a completely unexpected victory that ultimately led them to the state championship.
“Leading up to my state experience was definitely a big moment where I had to trust my team. We had to go against two really big teams that I know others probably thought we weren’t going to win against, just from the fact that Maine South had beat us twice,” senior captain Hannah Honoré said. “A lot of us were a bit scared whether we were going to win against them and then when we did, it was a new level of teamwork. I feel like the dynamic changed after that.”
This momentum the team gained against Maine South catapulted them into the aggression and passion that made them the state-qualifying team they are today.
“It was a different level of like, oh my gosh, we could really do anything. So I was just really happy for my team.”
That “oh my gosh” moment defined the whole season, not just the win against Maine South. The flag football made it to state which was something that even they believed was impossible. Their road to state didn’t come easily. The Kits had to overcome many losses and stay bonded as a team during these times.
“The losses were definitely discouraging, but I knew that it wasn’t something that we couldn’t come back from,” said Honoré. “But when you’re around people all the time and you keep losing with these people, it’s hard to want to be in community with everyone, because we’re losing.”
Nevertheless, the team persevered and Honoré’s leadership paved the way for their success in the playoffs.
“I would hope that how I lead people and how I showed people to be a leader is definitely translated for the next few years.”
Making it to state this year is not where the legacy of flag football will end. The team aims to complete bigger feats in the coming years. But their road to state was extremely rewarding and encouraging to the team.
“I just can’t even believe that we made it that far. I’m really proud of our team, and I don’t think that we could have done this without our amazing supporters in the stands, obviously, and then all of the coaches who have helped us so much. And I’m really proud of the perseverance that everyone had,” Honoré exclaimed.
