Village of Villa Park celebrates and honors Willowbrook Flag Football Team

During the Feb. 13 Villa Park Village Board Meeting, the village leaders and board members recognized and celebrated the Willowbrook Flag Football Team for its historic season. To watch the presentation, click on the video above.

Willowbrook Principal Dr. Daniel Krause, Flag Football Team coaches Rachel Karos and Nick Hildreth and Willowbrook senior student-athlete Sarah Ball thanked the village for its support, including providing escorts led by first responders. The girls were then presented with certificates in honor of their accomplishments.

A video was played to showcase highlights from the team’s inaugural season, including:

  • The Warriors finished the regular season unbeaten and outscored their opponents 166-0.

  • The Warriors won the Conference Championship on Oct. 21.

  • The Warriors won the inaugural Chicago Bears Girls Flag State Championship on Oct. 29.

  • The Warriors won the regional tournament on Nov. 13 in Ohio.

  • On Dec. 18, the team was recognized for its historic season during the Bears game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

  • The Warriors competed in the NFL FLAG Championships at Pro Bowl on Feb. 3 and 4 in Nevada.

  • Senior Sarah Ball received the following national awards:
    • National Football Foundation Chicago Metro Chapter’s Scholar-Athlete Award, which recognizes students for excellence on the football field, in the classroom and in the community

    • #65 Honor Roll winner, which is an award created in conjunction with the Patrick Mannelly Award to honor high school athletes in the Chicago area who exemplify excellence, integrity, effectiveness, teamwork and balance

    • Featured during the NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” show, where she was named as the NFL FLAG Player of the Week for demonstrating proper playing technique

    • Won two competitions during the NFL FLAG Skills Challenge: the 40-yard dash and the vertical jump

To view a list of the 2022-23 Willowbrook Flag Football Team members, go to https://tinyurl.com/224yzm5h.