Bradley-Bourbonnais Dominates All-City Flag Football Title
Source: The Shaw Local News Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
The high school girls flag football community in Kankakee County reached a new milestone on Saturday as the first All-City competition featuring all three local schools took place. This season marks the first time that Bradley-Bourbonnais, Kankakee, and Bishop McNamara have all fielded teams, with Bishop McNamara joining as a first-year program alongside the established third-year squads. While the Fightin' Irish celebrated a historic 31-6 victory over Kankakee for their first win ever, it was host Bradley-Bourbonnais that stole the spotlight, demonstrating why they are one of the most successful flag football programs in Illinois since the sport's IHSA debut.
The Boilermakers (4-0) opened the morning with a decisive 57-0 win over the Kays. After Kankakee fell to Bishop McNamara, Bradley-Bourbonnais capped the day by defeating the Irish 46-6, securing the first full All-City girls flag football title. Junior quarterback Elise Munsterman, a three-year starter, threw eight touchdowns on the day—four in each game. Her favorite targets included Sophia Darling, who caught three touchdown passes, and Amber Melchor, who hauled in two. The running game also provided fireworks, led by senior Nevaeh Brown, who rushed for 287 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries. Brown, whose junior track season was cut short by injury, is back healthy and eager to help her team chase bigger goals.
"I think that injury really sparked a comeback," Brown said. "It makes me want to go harder. I think it really helps when we all come together, get great team chemistry, and when that happens, I'm sure we're off to the races for state." Munsterman echoed the sentiment, noting the low-stress, high-energy atmosphere. "Today was very low-stress and high-energy, and I think that helps our team a lot," she said. "I think this is going to have a lot of momentum towards how we perform later in the season, going into regionals and everything."
Mark Kohl, now in his first season as head coach after two years as an assistant, appreciated the opportunity to host the championship. "We've been looking forward to this all offseason, and we're trying to celebrate the other teams just like we celebrate ourselves," he said. "We're happy we have flag here in our county, and it was a fun day for sure."
For Bishop McNamara, the day was both historic and encouraging. After dropping their first two games, the Irish started strong against Kankakee with a pair of pick-sixes—one by freshman Ashia Sims and another by Tatum Smith—to jump to a 12-0 lead. They finished that game with a rushing touchdown from Elle Webber, who later threw scoring passes to Sims and Bridget Hanson. Against Bradley-Bourbonnais, Sims connected with Ramseigh Turro on a 73-yard touchdown pass. Sims finished with 174 passing yards on the day, while Webber accounted for 241 yards. Leah Hanson contributed 13 catches for 124 yards across both games. Head coach Tyler Pavesich was pleased with the team's progress. "This last game was a loss, but we are learning," he said. "There's just a lot of talent and a lot of speed. They're just dedicating themselves to this game. This is a new sport for them, a new sport for our school, and they want to go out there and compete."
Kankakee entered the All-City competition without any prior games this season, playing its first two games under new head coach Jevon Wesby, who was hired just over three weeks ago. The team is also breaking in a new quarterback, Lamaryah Smith, who threw for 165 yards combined. She connected with Jasyia Wesby—last season's leading receiver—three times for 103 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown. "I think [Smith's] going to be pretty good once we get some more practice, because she just stepped into the role," Jevon Wesby said. "But [All-City] was definitely fun. With us just getting started, we'll show up better next year when we have time to work through the whole summer. There's a lot we have to work on, but for the most part there were some positives."
As the Boilermakers improved to 35-7 in program history—a remarkable winning percentage—they look ahead to the postseason with confidence. The team features 12 seniors, many of whom were part of the squad that placed fourth at the inaugural IHSA State Finals in 2024. With a dominant performance at All-City, Bradley-Bourbonnais has sent a clear message: they are ready to contend for a state title.
Article commentary
Saturday's All-City girls flag football competition in Kankakee County was more than just a series of games; it was a celebration of growth and community investment in a sport that is rapidly expanding across Illinois. The fact that all three city schools now field teams—Bradley-Bourbonnais and Kankakee in their third year, Bishop McNamara in its debut—underscores the increasing appeal of flag football as a varsity option for female athletes. This milestone reflects a broader trend: the IHSA's adoption of girls flag football as an official sport in 2023 has sparked a wave of new programs, and Kankakee County is emerging as a hotbed. Bradley-Bourbonnais's performance was nothing short of dominant. The Boilermakers have compiled a 35-7 record in just over two seasons, a testament to strong coaching, player development, and a culture of winning. The return of senior running back Nevaeh Brown from injury adds a dynamic element to an already potent offense. With junior quarterback Elise Munsterman orchestrating the passing game, the team possesses a balanced attack that will be difficult to stop in the postseason. However, the margin of victory over teams that are still building suggests that the competition within the county remains uneven. While Bradley-Bourbonnais is clearly a state contender, the other two programs are in different stages of development. Bishop McNamara's first win in program history—a 31-6 decision over Kankakee—was a highlight. The Irish showed resilience after opening with two losses, and their defensive playmaking ability, particularly the pick-sixes by Ashia Sims and Tatum Smith, bodes well for future growth. Head coach Tyler Pavesich emphasized the learning curve, and with athletes like Sims and Elle Webber producing on both sides of the ball, the Irish have a foundation to build upon. The challenge will be consistency and depth, which typically come with time and experience. Kankakee faces the steepest uphill climb. With a new coach hired just three weeks before the season and a new quarterback stepping into the role, the Kays are essentially starting from scratch. Jevon Wesby's optimism is understandable; the team showed flashes, particularly the long touchdown connection between Lamaryah Smith and Jasyia Wesby. But the 57-0 loss to Bradley-Bourbonnais highlights the gap in experience and preparation. With a full offseason ahead, Kankakee has the potential to narrow that gap, but it will require sustained investment in the program. From a broader perspective, the All-City event serves as a model for how communities can amplify interest in flag football. The enthusiasm from players, coaches, and spectators was palpable. The sport offers a fast-paced, safer alternative to tackle football while still emphasizing athleticism, strategy, and teamwork. As more schools in Illinois and across the country add girls flag football, events like this will become increasingly important in building rivalries and fostering a sense of tradition. Bradley-Bourbonnais may have taken the crown this year, but the real winner was the sport itself, which continues to gain momentum and provide opportunities for young female athletes to compete at a high level.