Jacobs High School Flag Football Season Preview

Offseason Focus

The main priority this offseason has been promoting the sport and raising awareness. With flag football now officially sanctioned by the IHSA, we’re proud of our successful inaugural season, which included an IHSA Regional Championship. Our next step is to continue building momentum, especially by attracting more athletes and growing participation in the program.

Special Offseason Events

We’re excited to host a Flag Football Summer Camp from June 23rd–26th at The MAC in Crystal Lake. This camp is open to girls from 6th to 12th grade, providing a fun, competitive environment where players can develop skills and team bonds heading into the new season.

Notable Additions & Departures

We graduate a small senior class, but lose some key players who made big contributions:

Sophia Acot – 2nd Team All-State

Klaudia Panek – WR/DB

Ella Edgerton – DB

Brenna Flaskamp – LB

Their presence will be missed, but we’re confident in the talent rising behind them.

Players to Watch

We’ve got an impressive group of returners who gained valuable experience last season and are ready to take the next step:

Freshmen:

Olivia Fillipp – 141/242 (58%), 2,255 yards, 31 TDs, 11 INTs — poised for a huge sophomore year

Emily Popilek – 2 catches, 25 yards, 2 TDs

Sophomores:

Jasmine Lenth – All-around contributor with both offensive touches and special teams action

Vanessa Minasola – Ballhawk with 3 INTs and 7 tackles

Isa Saez – Versatile defender with strong two-way ability

Amy Trejo – Big-play potential on both sides of the ball

Brie VerBurg – 490 rushing yards, 528 receiving yards, 11 TDs, 20 tackles, 5 sacks – massive impact across the board

Juniors:

Natalie Dolson – A steady, versatile contributor

Ava Nisi – 18 tackles, 2 INTs – a defensive anchor

Carly Uehlein – Contributing in multiple areas, including the pass rush

Olivia Wood – Explosive receiving threat with 410 yards and 3 TDs

These athletes are making strides in their sports and carrying that momentum into the flag football program.

Weight Lifting & Fitness

While we don’t have a flag-specific offseason training regimen, our players stay active year-round through other sports. Competing in various athletic environments keeps them sharp and improves overall athleticism. We’ll regroup as a team for our summer camp, then hit the ground running in the fall.

Nutrition

At this time, we do not have a formal nutrition program, but it’s something we may look to implement in the future as the sport continues to grow within the school.

Coaching Perspective

Our coaching staff is preparing by building on last year’s success. With more data, game film, and experience, we’re identifying areas for improvement and fine-tuning strategies to elevate our play. Year two brings bigger goals and a better understanding of the competition.

Fan Engagement & Community Impact

Our main focus right now is expanding visibility of the sport. Through community outreach like our summer camp and encouraging participation from multi-sport athletes, we’re strengthening the foundation for long-term support and engagement.

Biggest Challenges Ahead

With the success of our first season, expectations are naturally higher. Winning a regional championship in our debut season set a high bar, and now the challenge is to continue that momentum and pursue even bigger goals while managing pressure and maintaining growth.