Rob Penney builds second new girls sports program at Richwoods

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — When Rob Penney looks at his flag football team, he sees a different team than the one which opened practice in August.

“The first week of practice was fun, just getting the girls used to throwing, catching and running with a football,” the Richwoods coach said. “A lot of challenges.”

Penney has embraced the challenge of starting the flag football program. He started the girls wrestling program at Richwoods a few years ago and it’s been a big success.

Last season, he had 32 wrestlers for his team. He started the Knights flag football program with 52 players this summer.

“I had a three-year plan in mind and I think we are ahead of schedule,” Penney said. “Just like wrestling and everything else, it has to be planned out.”

The Knights will play Peoria High in a girls-boys football doubleheader on Friday at Peoria Stadium. The girls flag football game starts at 4 p.m., the boys will play at 6:30 p.m.

“It’s way more fun than what I thought it would be,” said sophomore Acosia Morris of flag football. “I thought it would be really challenging. Of course, it’s challenging to play other teams. But he makes it fun. Mr. Penney makes it fun.”

This is the first year the Illinois High School Association has made girls flag football a varsity sport around the state. Penney believes this new sport, like wrestling a few years ago, gives young ladies another option to enhance their high school experience.

“A lot of girls aren’t cut out to play basketball or volleyball. There are other sports out there and these two sports can help with that,” Penney said. “The more opportunities you allow for female athletes, the better for the school and the community. It’s positive all the way around.”

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