Four Willowbrook High School seniors competed in the Illinois Flag Football Senior Bowl on Sunday, Nov. 1, in Aurora.
Janell Adams, Mckenzie Edison, Lily Macias and Elizabeth Pettinger earned spots in the all-star showcase, which featured top senior girls flag football players from across Illinois, according to Scouting Flag Midwest. The game kicked off at 10 a.m. at Spartan Athletic Park.
Willowbrook Athletics announced the four players' participation on Sunday. The Warriors Flag Football account shared the post as well.
The Senior Bowl appearance capped a strong 2026 season for the Warriors, who finished 17-2. Willowbrook won a regional title before falling 12-6 to Oswego East in a sectional semifinal at the IHSA St. Charles North Sectional, according to coverage in the Oct. 23 edition of a local newspaper.
Edison and Pettinger made key plays during the postseason run. In the regional final against Lake Park, Pettinger hauled in touchdown passes of 34 and 26 yards from senior quarterback Kaitlyn Santos to help Willowbrook rally from behind. Edison caught a conversion pass from Santos that pushed the Warriors' lead to 19-13 late in that game.
In the sectional semifinal against Oswego East, Edison turned a short pass and lateral into a 69-yard touchdown. Pettinger made a critical third-and-long catch in the fourth quarter to extend a drive.
Warriors head coach Rachel Karos praised her senior class after the season-ending loss.
"They are some of the most decorated flag football athletes in the state," Karos said. "It's been wonderful to coach these seniors."
Willowbrook has hosted the IHSA Girls Flag Football State Finals for three consecutive years. The Warriors won the state third-place trophy in the 2024-25 season and reached the state quarterfinals in 2024. Karos was named the IHSA's 2024-25 Girls Flag Football Coach of the Year, according to a District 88 year-end summary.
The Senior Bowl selection adds another distinction for a program that continues to produce standout players at the state level.
