Photos: Girls flag-football championship at the Chicago Bears' Halas Hall

The Chicago Bears and Bears Care partnered with Nike, Gatorade and Buffalo Wild Wings to host the first girls flag state championship, a tournament consisting of four games, featuring Taft High School and Kenwood Academy from the Chicago Public League, Guilford High School from Rockford and Willowbrook High School from the West Suburban League.

What started with 22 teams in Chicago Public Schools as the Chicago Public League Girls Flag Football in 2021 has grown to 66 CPS teams. By 2022, the girls flag program expanded to the Rockford area, creating a league of six teams, and the Western suburbs with another league of six teams in the Western Suburban Conference.

According to Jim Geovanes, commissioner of the West Suburban conference, said within two school years, the girls flag football program in Illinois already has 78 teams. With an average 30 girls on each team and moneys donated by brands and the Chicago Bears for equipment and uniforms, Geovanes said the sport is blowing up. The Western Conference formed in May and within four months, are already competing in the state championship.

Willowbrook High School’s Roslyn Sanchez (center/left) leads her team in celebration after winning the championship game at the first-ever “Chicago Bears Girls Flag State Championship” at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Oct. 29, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Willowbrook High School players celebrate their championship at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Oct. 29, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

A Taft High School player wipes away tears after Taft finished as the runner up in the championship game on Oct. 29, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Willowbrook High School players celebrate their championship at the first-ever “Chicago Bears Girls Flag State Championship” at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Willowbrook High School players celebrate after defeating Taft High School to win the championship game at the first-ever “Chicago Bears Girls Flag State Championship” at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Oct. 29, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Willowbrook High School’s Rimon Kari is surrounded by her teammates after Kari scored a touchdown off of an interception during the championship game at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Oct. 29, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Willowbrook High School parents cheer from the sideline during their championship game. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Willowbrook High School’s Delaney Coulter (left) celebrates with her teammates after scoring a touchdown during the championship game on Oct. 29, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Willowbrook High School players look on during the championship game at the first-ever “Chicago Bears Girls Flag State Championship” on Oct. 29, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Rockford Guilford High School’s Mya Page (left) tries to elude the Taft High School defense during a semifinal game on Oct. 29, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Taft High School safety Elena Gonzalez runs the ball back after her interception. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Willowbrook High School players relax while looking at their phones between the semifinal and championship games at the first-ever “Chicago Bears Girls Flag State Championship” on Oct. 29, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Willowbrook High School’s Chloe Klamecki celebrates after scoring an extra point against Kenwood Academy. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Willowbrook High School players, including Emily Pearson (7), cheer during their semifinal game. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Taft High School safety Elena Gonzalez intercepts a pass during a semifinal game at the first-ever “Chicago Bears Girls Flag State Championship.” (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Kenwood Academy wide receiver Kennedy Scott is stopped by a Willowbrook High School defender. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Kenwood Academy wide receiver Antaniya Woods runs a route under a large image of Chicago Bears great Walter Payton during a semifinal game at Halas Hall on Oct. 29, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Kenwood Academy’s Gabrielle Speller tries to break free from two Willowbrook High School defenders during their semifinal game. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Taft High School’s Elena Gonzalez (right) is unable to come down with a pass in the end zone during a championship game against Willowbrook High School. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Willowbrook High School player Meri Sutton cheers on the sideline during her team’s semifinal game. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Taft High School’s Maddie Beazley tries to elude the Willowbrook High School defense during the championship game. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Members of the Rockford Guilford High School team applaud as players from all four teams collect at the 50 yard line before the semifinal game at the first-ever “Chicago Bears Girls Flag State Championship” at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Oct. 29, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Kenwood Academy rusher Kia Shorts relaxes with her team before their semifinal game at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Kenwood Academy quarterback Trayce Brim-Harris warms up before their semifinal game at the first-ever “Chicago Bears Girls Flag State Championship” at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Oct. 29, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Taft High School players come out onto the field before the start of the semifinal games at the first-ever “Chicago Bears Girls Flag State Championship” at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Oct. 29, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

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Photos: Girls flag-football championship at the Chicago Bears' Halas Hall

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