Junior Taylor Hoffenberg was part of the first Lyons Township High School girls flag football team as a freshman. After the graduation of 13 seniors, most also part of those first two teams, the starting running back is ready for somewhat of a brand new start.
“At first, it was pretty sad. I grew up with (those 2026 graduates) on the team,” Hoffenberg said. “It’s good to have a new team and to be able to try new things. Just a lot of changes that we’re going through and we’re meeting new people. It’s coming together.”
The Lions again have high expectations after regional titles and reaching the sectional semifinals those first two seasons. LTHS improved to 17-4 in 2025 from its 14-4 debut and finished second to Glenbard West in the first season of WSC play with a 5-1 record. The Lions lost 19-0 in the Hinsdale South Sectional semifinals to state quarterfinalist Kenwood.
There’s still plenty of experience and talent to go around. Hoffenberg and junior Meg Robinson were among the Lions’ six 2025 All-WSC players. Seniors Madeline Blasco, Lorelai Brown, Margeaux Dvorak, Helena Enriquez, Ada Flynn, Lucy Flynn, Christina Lid and Leah Monahan and juniors Alyssa Episcopo and Delaney Episcopo, both of Brookfield, Jane Erickson, Kayden Jackson and Bianca Taylor also are returning starters or varsity returnees. Other varsity players are seniors Isabelle Atseff, Maddy Dunneback, Stella Pfafflin and Brielle Simmons, juniors Sienna Airhart, Marissa Caron, Kasey Farnan, Norah Hurey, Mary Karam, Isla Riboul, Emily Shumaker, June Smith, Jane Weber and Claire Wheeler and sophomores Kennedy Moore and Evie Riopell.
“The expectations are always high for athletes in our program. I’m excited to see how a new brand of kids kind of take off from where we left off,” LTHS coach Meghan Hutchens said. “Speed is definitely one of our strengths both offensively and defensively. We have some height with our wide receivers. And I just think as the sport grows more and more, the kids are more acclimated earlier. I’m really excited to have these newcomers with speed kind of fit into our mix.”
Hoffenberg led the Lions’ offense last season in rushes (89) and receptions (102) and was second in touchdowns (12) and extra points (9) to graduated Anna Bigenwald, a two-time honorable mention all-stater now playing women’s soccer at Loyola. Robinson, a wide receiver/defensive back, had a team-high 17 interceptions and was third in flag pulls (71) with six batted balls and seven forced incompletes. She also scored nine TDs.
“Our strength as a team is definitely our communication, being able to encourage each other. That’s a huge thing since we’re a new team,” Hoffenberg said. “I think my role is definitely going to expand because I’m an upperclassman now. I hope to lead more by example.”
Other defensive standouts last season included Blasco (51 flag pulls, 4 interceptions), Lid (39 flag pulls, 5 interceptions), and Monahan (20 flag pulls, 3 interceptions), who also shared second with 12 batted balls. As pass rushers, Ada Flynn (team-high 23 sacks and 38 forced incomplete passes, with 20 flag pulls and Alyssa Episcopo was second in sacks (14) and forced incomplete passes (37).
Karam and Smith are among the encouraging defensive newcomers.
“We’re adding a lot of newcomers on defense. We had a lot of soccer kids come out so I think it’s one of the fastest teams that we’ve had,” Hutchens said.
Last season, LTHS scored at least 20 points in 14 victories and at least 30 in 10 of those. Robinson and Blasco (4 TDs) also will help offensively with wide receiver Erickson and speedy running back Taylor, a strong long jumper in track, expected to contribute more. Lucy Flynn also had 11 TDs in 2025.
At quarterback, Riopell takes over for graduated two-year starter Char Ebeid. Riopell and Moore played varsity basketball as freshmen with Hutchens as head coach.
“(Riopell is) doing well and well under pressure. I feel like being a varsity basketball player, she can keep up with the speed flag football kind of commands,” Hutchens said. “Also I think our receivers coming back (has helped). It’s easier for our quarterback because she has that expectation of (consistent) route running.”
The season opens with back-to-back home games against Hinsdale South and Sandburg Aug. 26-27.
“Definitely the key is going to be teamwork and being able to help each other up,” Hoffenberg said. “As teammates, we have to make sure we’re fully confident in ourselves. One bad play doesn’t really show how we are.”