New Trier flag’s late-season hot streak ends in regional championship

A team’s ability to bounce back from a midseason slump goes a long way in showcasing its resolve, and in that context, New Trier flag football can be proud of how it responded to an early-year skid.

After a tough stretch in early September, the Trevians’ persistence was on full display the rest of the way. New Trier entered its regional final matchup with three consecutive victories and as winners of five of its last seven games.

But the Trevs’ late-season drive hit a roadblock on Wednesday, Oct. 7, when they ran into their conference foe and a state contender in the Evanston Wildkits.

The second-seeded Kits upended New Trier’s momentum, defeating the Trevs 19-0 in Northfield en route to the regional championship.

Although the final result was a three-score victory for Evanston, the playoff matchup remained neck-and-neck until the game’s final minutes — a much tighter game than when the two teams matched up earlier this year at Murney Lazier Field.

“It definitely felt good to come into the game knowing that (Evanston) thought they would have an easy game with us but that we gave them a challenge to fight,” New Trier senior Elizabeth Wold said.

“That honestly felt good because it really pushed our team together in our last game … and that goes back to showing how much we all care about each other and really the impact of cheering each other on and how much that can lead us through a game,” Wold added.

The two teams remained deadlocked until late in the second quarter when Evanston’s high-powered offense found its first of two quick strikes before the half.

Quarterback Ava Bellis and Brielle Rosemond, one of the Wildkits superb senior skill position players, connected for a touchdown right before the two-minute warning.

The Kits kept their momentum rolling when on their next possession Bellis fired a perfectly placed touchdown moments before halftime to give Evanston a 13-0 lead.

New Trier refused to give in, though. Out of the half, the Trevians defense forced an Evanston punt following a great defensive play by Olivia Iacobelli.

The Trevians then had one of their best drives of the contest. Senior Annabel Nitekman caught a pass early in the series to give New Trier a first down. Then senior Kathleen Ellis broke free for a big run that put New Trier deep in Evanston’s territory.

New Trier pushed the ball close to the end zone but ultimately could not find a way in.

A sack from New Trier’s Kinsley Straitiff derailed Evanston’s ensuing drive and forced a quick change of possession. The Trevs put forth another strong series, driving the ball all the way to inside Evanston’s 10-yard line.

But the Wildkits turned the Trevians over to end the rally.

The second-seeded Wildkits (16-2) tacked on a late score to quell any hopes of a comeback from the seventh-seeded Trevs (8-9).

“Evanston is well coached and they have a great group of kids who fight for each other also,” New Trier coach Mark Colegrove said.

“We were in good position on a couple of plays and we just didn’t make the plays,” he added, later noting, the Kits “got the better of us today and played very well.”

The playoff defeat didn’t put too much of a damper on what was a strong finish to 2026 for the Trevs.

New Trier rallied to close the year playing some of its best football, including winning two playoff games to advance to the regional final.

The team’s leaders believe their perseverance demonstrates the tight bond the group formed over the season.

“Part of that (midseason) change really came from that as a team we just got so much closer throughout the season,” senior Kathleen Ellis said. “Every day we pushed a little further and we just became such a unit and I think that really reflected in our game. The difference from the beginning of the season until now … it’s really been cool to watch.”

The Trevs collective chemistry was also a strength the team relied on down the stretch.

“I’ve been a part of a lot of programs and teams,” senior Victoria Wainscott said, “and by far this program is not only the most supportive and has the most sense of community I’ve ever felt on a team but also the genuine kindness and compassion that we have for each other, that in general is what makes our team so special.”

New Trier will say goodbye to a strong group of seniors who were a part of the very first cohort of Trevians flag football players when the sport officially launched in the fall of 2023.

The team’s seniors, who Colegrove said coined themselves the “OGs,” will be “greatly missed,” he said.

“I’m proud of our seniors,” Colegrove said. “We have great senior leaders who have taught the younger kids how to love and support each other and work and fight for each other and that’s really important. When you have that, and when you have a good locker room, good team morale and players who are willing to work for each other, that’s pretty special.”

Now heading into its fifth season as a sport at New Trier, participation in flag football at the school continues to steadily increase.

Seeing the growth of interest in the game and the continued evolution of the sport is something the trailblazing senior class truly cherishes.

“It’s been such an amazing thing to see,” Wold said. “I came into flag not knowing anything about football, not having touched a football in my life, and just hearing typical things like girls can’t play football.

“To see it grow so much and to see the outcome and how many teams there are and just to see young girls playing today has such a big impact on me and our whole team because it inspires us to keep pushing for those young girls to keep playing in women’s sports.”

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