THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE STORY BY JENNIFER BAILEY
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DANVILLE — Girls’ flag football player Kali Bacys knows a lot of eyes will be on the Danville High team tonight at its historic inaugural game against Peoria Richwoods.
Friends, family and other supporters also will be taking in all the renovations to the school’s Ned Whitesell Field, including the new turf, seating and the massive Watchfire Signs video scoreboard.
Bacys, a freshman on the varsity team, said learning how to play flag football has been “really fun” and she’s “really excited” about this first game.
It’s a feeling shared by girls statewide, given the chance to play on fields usually reserved for boys this time of year.
Danville is one of two area teams, joining fellow Big 12 Conference member Urbana, set to compete in the first year that the sport is sanctioned by the IHSA.
The Vikings and Tigers are scheduled to play Sept. 25. The first state finals will take place in October.
Goals for the season are to “just go try our best and hopefully win a lot,” Bacys said.
Bacys, expecting a big crowd tonight, said she and her fellow players are grateful for their supporters.
She counts among them the district’s athletic director — her dad, Mark Bacys.
“It’s been great to watch the excitement and the progress of the girls during this whole process. The improvements they all have shown from this summer are impressive,” Mark Bacys said from his perspective as player No. 4’s dad.
“It’s also been a bonding experience for Kali and I, one I never imagined that would have happened around football,” he said.
And from the perspective of the district athletic director, he said, “we are really looking forward to Thursday, opening the newly renovated field with the first-ever flag game.”
He said the last year of planning and implantation has gone quickly — from when high school Athletic Director Gary Gritton came back from an IHSA meeting last September saying flag football is going to be a sanctioned sport and him wanting to start it here in Danville, to this week and the reality of the first game.
Mark Bacys said he, Gritton and the girls “have really been touched by the incredible support and encouragement that we have gotten from so many different people and organizations,” including school Superintendent Alicia Geddis, the D118 Board of Education, high school Principal Jacob Bretz, District 118 staff, Gustavo Silva with the Chicago Bears, Juliana Zavala with Chicago Public Schools, Ken Pasco at BSN, parents of the athletes and local media.
The supporters have pushed them to make flag football a reality this year, he said.
“I know that the girls are excited and nervous for Thursday, but I know they will be moved by the number of people that are coming out to support them on this historic day,” Mark Bacys said.
Coaches Bryan Simmons and Taylor Williams can’t wait for kickoff.
“We are excited, nervous, anxious and a whole bunch of other emotions,” Simmons said. “I am ready for the community to see how much work our young ladies have put in this past summer and these past practices.”
He said the team is ready.
“Everyone will be nervous, but we know they will lock in once the first flag is pulled,” Simmons said.
“Our goal is for the girls to see the outcome of their hard work this past summer. We also want to put on a competitive game for the community and come out with a win.”
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