Senior Jax Tamburello of Brookfield received the welcome news just two days before her first summer league game with the Lyons Township High School girls flag football team. Under rules changes for the sport’s second IHSA-sanctioned season, players on the offensive line can now move and screen block the defense from the quarterback and backfield players but still without physical blocking or using hands or extended arms.
“Oh, you don’t know the amount of times I’d gotten called [with penalties] last year for just getting in people’s way because last year the rule was I had to stop moving before the opponent runs into me or attempts to get around me,” said Tamburello, the Lions’ returning starting center. “I could not move at all. Now I can move this year. I can now shift and be really annoying to the opponent and get all in their way. It’s going to be a fun season.”
Nothing should get in the way from the Lions having another successful season after an impressive 2024 debut. In the program’s first year of existence, they finished 14-4 and won regionals before losing 29-14 in the Whitney Young Sectional semifinals to Young, which went on to finish third in the state. Many of the Lions’ victories came over programs that had previously existed as club teams.
Lyons Township’s quarterback Char Ebeid (14) attempts a pass against Simeon during a nonconference flag football game Monday, Aug. 25, 2025 in Western Springs. (Steve Johnston) 
Lyons Township’s Jax Tamburello (13) blocks Simeon’s Arrier McKinley (3) as LT’s for Char Ebeid (14) looks to make a pass during a nonconference flag football game Monday, Aug. 25, 2025 in Western Springs. (Steve Johnston) 
Lyons Township’s Anna Bigenwald (25) tries to get past Simeon’s Ariyah Black (1) during a nonconference flag football game Monday, Aug. 25, 2025 in Western Springs. (Steve Johnston) 
Lyons Township’s Alyssa Episcopo (27) rush the Simeon quarterback during a nonconference flag football game Monday, Aug. 25, 2025 in Western Springs. (Steve Johnston)
“All of our returning players are super-excited to get back on the field. They all get along and are just excited for another chance and season together,” said LTHS coach Meghan Hutchens, whose new assistant coach is Morgan Gallagher.
“Our expectation is to win a lot more,” Tamburello said. “I think we have a pretty good chance to be pretty high up.”
The Lions boast several returning starters and returnees after graduating just five seniors and their varsity roster has expanded from 22 to 29. With the program’s continued growth, there’s also now two coaches at each level.
Senior safety/wide receiver Anna Bigenwald was named all-state and the team’s Most Valuable Player. Senior quarterback Char Ebeid was named Offensive Player of the Year. Other returning starters include seniors Kennedy Campbell, Maren Cavanaugh, Carly Granger, Fiona Sullivan, Teya Magajne and Anya Torres, juniors Grace Downey, Helena Enriquez and Christina Lid and sophomore Taylor Hoffenberg.
Seniors Lisa Baron of Brookfield, Kailey McGuire and Lila Porter and junior Leah Monahan also return. Varsity newcomers are senior Cecilia Vlk, juniors Madeline Blasco, Lorelai Brown, Margeaux Dvorak, Ada Flynn, Lucy Flynn, Sophie Picha, sophomores Alyssa Episcopo and Delaney Episcopo, both of Brookfield, Jane Erickson, Kayden Jackson and freshman Megan Robinson.
“Our entire offense is back so that’s exciting that we can just build off where we were last year,” Hutchens said.
“A lot of our seniors who graduated were more on defense. Other than that, our offense is pretty set and then people are learning how to fill in the gaps,” Tamburello said.
Ebeid’s passing and high-completion percentage was among the Lions’ strengths in 2024. While line players like Tamburello can screen block, another rule change allows multiple defensive players to rush instead of just one. Centers may snap the ball between their legs or sideways.
“Generally I’ll stay at center, but if there’s a really strong player on the side, [Hutchens] might switch me and I’ll play wide receiver as a blocker,” Tamburello said.
There’s even more to play for this season. The West Suburban Conference has begun conference play with champions for the Lions’ Silver and Gold Divisions as well as individual all-conference recognition.
“Since we do have a conference, it would be nice to be the first team to win conference,” Hutchens said. “Honestly, I just think a goal personally would be to continue to build off last year, continue to focus on the details of route running, timing, putting our defense together. We’ll have some fun but we’ll also be very competitive.”