The Maine South High School girls flag football team was already undefeated when one of its players picked up a big – and unexpected – win.
Aribella Spanidary, a junior who is also quarterback of the school’s girls flag football team, was recently named the Chicago Bears Girls Flag Football Player of the Week. Each week, the Bears celebrate a girls flag football player who the NFL football team believes demonstrates leadership and exceptional playing skills.
In a Maine Township High School District 207 news release announcing the accolade, officials explained that Spandiary, who is also a team captain, was selected for the recognition because of her performance in games weeks before she was presented with the honor on Sept. 25. By then, Spandiary had 3,159 passing yards and 39 touchdowns passes. And, at the time of the announcement, the Maine South girls flag football team ranked first in state.
The Bears organization offers weekly honors to boys and girls who play football, along with recognizing coaches, under the Illinois High School Association. Spandiary was named the Week 4 girls flag football player of the week.
This is the inaugural year for girls flag football in the IHSA.
“As a dual-threat quarterback, she has also rushed for more than 150 yards and five touchdowns on 22 carries, further solidifying her status as one of the top quarterbacks in the state,” reads a post on the Bears website about Spandiary’s honor.
“Thriving under the lights at Maine South’s Wilson Field, Spandiary’s journey in flag football began in 2014, inspired by her two older brothers. Her connection to the sport and her team has only deepened since,” according to the post.
Spandiary was told of – and “surprised with” – the honor during practice at Maine South on Sept. 25. She received a custom football, and a $500 donation will be made to a youth football organization of her choice, the release states.
According to the release, she will also be honored at the Dec. 22 Bears game, along with other Girls Flag Football Players of the Week. The Bears will play the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field.
