Oak Park River Forest High School Girls Flag Football Season Preview

Offseason Focus Our team’s primary focus this offseason has been keeping pace with the rapidly rising athletic standards in our region. We're emphasizing strength, conditioning, and agility training to ensure our players are physically prepared. A full summer camp and league experience is also planned to help us hit the ground running this fall. Special Offseason Events We’re proud to have had multiple players attend USA Flag Talent ID Camps and college showcases this offseason. At least five of our current juniors have expressed intentions to play women's flag football at the collegiate level by 2026–2027, a testament to the growth of both our athletes and the sport. Notable Additions & Departures There are no major roster or coaching changes at this time. We remain committed to discovering hidden talent within our school. Our current junior class is packed with potential, and we’re building our program around their momentum to inspire future teams. Players to Watch We have a talented core of returning players expected to have a breakout season, including: Leia Hammerschmidt Cora Brown Eliana Brucato Julia Henderson Gwen Watters Their dedication and growth throughout the offseason have set the tone for what’s ahead. Weight Lifting and Fitness A highlight of our offseason has been our partnership with The Ferrara Pan Fitness Factory in Forest Park. Twice weekly, players not involved in spring sports train with a personal trainer, focusing on strength, speed, and agility. The boxing-based training has added a unique edge to our program’s fitness regimen. Nutrition We currently do not have a formal nutrition program, though we encourage healthy habits and recovery practices among our athletes. Coaching Perspective As a first-year IHSA program last season, our staff had to wear many hats. With the rapid growth of girls' flag football in Illinois, we hope to expand our coaching staff to better support the team. We’re actively seeking offseason opportunities and continuously refining our approach to remain competitive as the game evolves. With more collegiate opportunities emerging, preparing our athletes for the next level is a major priority. Biggest Challenges Ahead As the sport continues to grow and the level of competition rises across the state, one of our biggest challenges will be staying ahead of the curve while preparing our athletes for success both on and off the field. Building depth and continuing to evolve our program structure will be key.