Junior Taylor Hoffenberg was among the first-year varsity players for the Lyons Township girls flag football team in 2024 along with then-sister season Jordyn. She soon realized this season would be the best so far.
“I had a gut feeling that it was going to happen after that Oak Park game (a 33-13 victory Sept, 24),” Hoffenberg said. “I knew we were rising and growing and becoming a really good team. Being able to support and trust each other is amazing.”
The Lions were together one last time Saturday – celebrating an outstanding finish after beating Marist 21-19 to finish third at the state finals at Willowbrook.
“To make history for our team and to represent LT to get third place is insane,” Hoffenberg said. “It feels really nice and to celebrate it with such an amazing team. I’m ecstatic. It’s crazy.”
The Lions (17-3) scored first but then overcame Marist (19-5) leading 13-7 at halftime. After pulling ahead 21-13 later in the third quarter, their outstanding defense made two huge stands in the fourth quarter.
“It’s amazing. I think we came so far this season and improved so much. It’s such a good feeling,” said junior Alyssa Episcopo of Brookfield, one of the Lions’ top pass rushers.
Lyons Township’s Meg Robinson (20) picks up yards after her catch against Marist during the IHSA State 3rd place game at Willowbrook high School Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 in Villa Park, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons Township’s Alyssa Episcopo (27) fights through blocks and tries to get to Marist’s Alia Rowles (23) during the IHSA State 3rd place game at Willowbrook high School Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 in Villa Park, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons Township’s Meg Robinson (20) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against Marist during the IHSA State 3rd place game at Willowbrook high School Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 in Villa Park, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons Township’s Evie Riopell (55) tries to avoid having her flag pulled by Marist’s Charlotte Jarosik (6) during the IHSA State 3rd place game at Willowbrook high School Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 in Villa Park, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
“Our touchdowns or our really big defensive plays just really stood out for me. I’m just really proud of everyone.”
The Lions had won regionals their first two seasons but lost in the sectional semifinals. This year’s team shared their first West Suburban Conference Silver Division title with OPRF thanks to their victory. They pulled out Friday’s semifinal 12-6 over Bradley-Bourbonnais with another late defensive stand.
“It’s fun working with them. They care a lot and now the important part is they’ve seen and felt the success and know we’re capable of it,” LTHS coach Meghan Hutchens said.
Junior two-way starter Meg Robinson climaxed her great season with one of her best games against Marist. Her third-quarter interception began the comeback. She scored moments later on a 2-yard TD pass from quarterback Evie Riopell and caught the conversion pass for a 14-13 lead.
“This means everything to me. Everyone’s so happy,” Robinson said. “Winning third like this, I know I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life.”
Lyons Township’s Margeaux Dvorak (11) tries to get to Marist’s quarterback Alia Rowles (23) during the IHSA State 3rd place game at Willowbrook high School Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 in Villa Park, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons Township’s Taylor Hoffenberg (2) looks for room to run against Marist during the IHSA State 3rd place game at Willowbrook high School Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 in Villa Park, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
LTHS pulled ahead 21-13 with a 9-yard TD pass to Robinson and two-point conversion pass to Bianca Taylor, who scored the Lions’ first TD on a 27-yard reception. Then it was the defense’s turn to shine again. With 8:24 left, the RedHawks scored a TD to close to 21-19 but missed the two-point conversion pass to tie.
On the next drive, Marist reached the LTHS 13 and Huchens called a timeout. On fourth-and-goal, Marist completed the pass but junior Isla Riboul made the flag pull at the 4.
“We’ve had a really strong defense the whole season,” Riboul said. Today was definitely the pinnacle of the whole season so that was definitely cool.”
“It was intense,” added senior Leah Monahan, another defensive starter. “There were a lot of different thoughts going through our heads. But we have trust in us, especially on defense.”
The Lions also were impressive considering they had to play roughly 45 minutes after losing their semifinal 46-12 to state runner-up Prospect. It was the first time all season that the Lions allowed more than two TDs in a game.
Lyons Township’s players race onto the field after defeating Marist 21-19 during the IHSA State 3rd place game at Willowbrook high School Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 in Villa Park, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons Township’s Meg Robinson (20) and Taylor Hoffenberg (2) receive the 3rd place trophy after defeating Marist 21-19 during the IHSA State 3rd place game at Willowbrook high School Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 in Villa Park, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
“It’s not easy to take a loss like that and then come back. We said we need to just focus on the first quarter (against Marist), get our feet back on the ground,” Hutchens said. “When we came down and scored (to lead 7-0), that was a feel-good moment. Then we were able to rock that momentum from there.”
The Lions hope to continue their success, especially considering few of the starters were seniors. Monahan tried out for fun with primarily a soccer background.
“Everyone came from different backgrounds, if it was a sports background, nothing at all or even if they knew how to play. We created an amazing team,” Monahan said. “To get this last hurrah. It always makes me emotional in a way, knowing we’ve progressed so much, but it feels so good to have made it this far.”
Robinson led all receivers over in the state finals with 272 receiving yards. In her first varsity season, Riopell passed for 7 TDs and 639 yards over the three games. Robinson joined last season after playing volleyball as a freshman. As a sophomore, she only played on defense.
“Volleyball was fun but that was probably my biggest regret of high school. Being on the first team ever from LT would have been so much fun,” Robinson said. “I found my love for defense (in 2025). Now that I’m on both sides, it changes the game. I love defense and offense so much, and we’re leaving with smiles on our faces. That’s the best way to go out for our seniors.”
LTHS, RBHS tennis
For the second straight season, Lyons Township advanced all four entries to the girls tennis state tournament thanks to top-four finishes at the Class 2A Hinsdale Central Sectional. Undefeated freshman Jessie Janiak (23-0) won singles with a 6-2, 6-1 title victory over Hinsdale Central freshman Myra Shaikh. Senior Abby Sullivan (18-2) took third in singles with a 2-6, 6-0, 6-2 victory.
In doubles, junior Elise Novey and sophomore Chloe Owens (15-7) and senior Sophia Dalgety and freshman Lucy Fletcher (10-7) were third and fourth. Novey and Owens won the third-place match 6-0, 6-1, Monday. The Lions finished second to rival Hinsdale Central, which also qualified all four entries. Sullivan, Novey and Dalgety were among the Lions’ 2025 state qualifiers. Novey and Dalgety were doubles qualifiers with partners who have graduated.
At the 2A York Sectional, Riverside Brookfield senior Paige Zavorski (15-7) went 1-1 in singles and came within one victory of qualifying for state but lost in the quarterfinals to York’s fourth-place Samantha Bhagavan 6-0, 6-1.
Junior Amanda Krueger and the doubles teams of junior Sophie Dickerson and freshman Adele Alijosius and senior Ella Blomgren and junior Annika Beil lost their opening matches to state qualifiers 6-0, 6-0. Senior doubles player Brooke Zavorski missed sectionals because of a class conflict with the Triton College nursing dual enrollment program.