OPRF's flag football program entered the 2026 season with 102 girls on the roster. That depth got its first test Monday, Aug. 24, when Evanston shut out the Huskies 27-0 at Lazier Field.

The loss stings, but the numbers tell a bigger story. Coach Jim Geovanes graduated 22 seniors last spring, seven of whom are now playing flag football in college. Thirty-six freshmen have filled those spots and then some. Geovanes told the Wednesday Journal that last year's seniors set the standard and that his junior class, the Class of 2028, is ready to carry it forward.

The junior class anchors the rebuild. Alessandra Gerut, who had never played flag football before June 2025, competed in the USA Football U16 Select Bowl in Los Angeles this past June. That event feeds the pipeline toward the 2028 Olympics, where flag football will debut. Geovanes reworked the entire offensive playbook around Gerut's skill set.

"A lot of (players) were from California and New York, and there was a feeling of, 'Do I belong here?'" Gerut said of the Select Bowl experience. "It was crazy."

Gerut won't carry the offense alone. Junior Lucy Avrut led OPRF in touchdowns as a sophomore, and Geovanes said she could own every receiving record before she graduates. Fellow juniors Nora Parton, a soccer player, and KaiLee Robinson round out the backfield. Quarterback remains unsettled between sophomore Anna Dore and senior Ionna Griffin, who ran the option at Downers Grove South last season.

On defense, senior linebacker Tegan Smith brings shot put strength and basketball quickness. Junior Kynnedi Alawode, also a track athlete, is someone Geovanes calls the smartest and fastest player on the field.

The schedule won't ease up. After Evanston, OPRF still faces Kenwood and Willowbrook, both ranked in USA TODAY Sports' preseason Illinois Super 10 at No. 9 and No. 3 respectively. Evanston checked in at No. 8. All three games come before West Suburban Silver conference play against Lyons, York and Glenbard West.

Against the Wildkits on Monday, Evanston sophomore quarterback Ava Bellis threw three touchdown passes in her varsity debut, completing 17-of-39 attempts for 227 yards, according to the Evanston Roundtable. She also threw three interceptions, a sign OPRF's defense created pressure despite the final score. Harper Wesenberg sealed the result with an 85-yard interception return on the final play.

Kenwood and Willowbrook are next on the nonconference slate.