Peoria High to be among the first schools in Illinois playing girls flag football

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Peoria High is the oldest high school in Illinois but it will be one of the new kids on the block this fall.

It will be among the first schools to field a girl’s flag football team competing in the Illinois High School Association’s newest sport. The IHSA is adding girls flag football as a varsity sport this school year around the state.

“This is totally new to them. We went back to the basics of learning the field, learning how to properly hold the football, learning every basic skill required to play football,” said Lions head coach Marilyn Woods. “They are doing really well. They picked it up Within a couple practices, they were ready to go.”

Woods says she has 15 players on her varsity roster and looks to add more before school starts at the end of July. Peoria High has been conducting practices this summer and competed in a scrimmage against Danville last weekend.

“I wanted to play when I was younger, but there wasn’t a big opportunity for girls to play on football teams,” said senior Taylor Botley. “There weren’t flag football teams out here. So I feel this is a great opportunity.”

Botley, who plays softball for Peoria High in the spring, is currently the only senior on the Lions roster.

None of the players have any football experience although most of the girls have brothers who played, Woods said.

“I wanted to play football but I didn’t want to play with the boys. They are a little too rough,” said incoming freshman K’Myai Richardson. “So when I was in middle school I saw (promotional) flyers all around. I started coming to practice and I’m excited.”

Fall practice officially starts around the state Aug. 12 and the first games of the season can be played the week of Aug. 26. The IHSA state finals will be played Oct. 18 and 19.

Richwoods and Manual High Schools have also expressed interest in fielded teams for the initial season of IHSA flag football.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.