EDWARDSVILLE – Serena Shapiro scored the game’s first two touchdowns as quarterback Ella Wallace enjoyed a big day in the first half as Edwardsville went on to a 58-6 win over Alton in the quarterfinals of the IHSA girls flag football regional tournament Tuesday night, Sept. 29, 2026, at Tiger Stadium.
The win makes the Tigers 14-0 for the season and advances them to the quarterfinals on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, where they’ll meet Peoria, a 34-0 winner over Belleville West in the second quarterfinal later Tuesday night.
Edwardsville had completed a perfect 13-0 regular season the night before over Mascoutah 19-0, and didn’t want to let up on the gas going into the postseason.
“Honestly, I told the girls yesterday that we played well,” Edwardsville Head Girls Flag Football Coach Hay said, “and we started off pretty hot. I told them I wanted it to be that way tonight. The playoffs are a different season, and it’s really important you start off quickly, and you don’t start off flat-footed, so they did well tonight. I’m proud of them.”
Edwardsville scored less than a minute into the game when Shapiro caught a 79-yard touchdown pass from Wallace. On the Tigers’ second possession, Shapiro ran for a 13-yard touchdown and caught the conversion pass for a 13-0 lead.
Kennedy Gieseking added a 16-yard touchdown reception, followed by a conversion catch by Shapiro. Jada Donaldson then caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Wallace, and Zinnia Allen caught the conversion to put Edwardsville ahead 27-0 after the first quarter.
The Tigers added three touchdowns in the second quarter. Jessica Sever caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Wallace, Ari Williams scored on a 6-yard run and Sever added a 4-yard touchdown reception. Edwardsville led 45-0 at halftime, triggering a running clock for the second half.
Backup quarterback Ashia Teague connected with Stella Worman for a 7-yard touchdown after replacing Wallace in the second half. Teague later scored on a 3-yard run, and Gieseking added the conversion to make it 58-0.
Alton scored on its final possession when quarterback Tiera Hall ran for a short touchdown. The conversion attempt failed.
Hay said the Tigers had enjoyed their unbeaten regular season before turning their attention to the playoffs.
“It is a good feeling, and we got to soak up being undefeated last night, and I told them it’s go big or go home, so they have to play like that,” Hay said. “I think they showed up and did that.”
Edwardsville planned to watch part of Peoria’s game before preparing for the regional semifinal, with three practices scheduled, including one Sunday.
The other semifinal will match the winners of Belleville East-Peoria Manuel and East St. Louis-Champaign Centennial. The regional final is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026.
The regional champion advances to the Belleville East sectional at Charlie Woodford Field, where it will face the Peoria Richwoods regional winner Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. The sectional final is scheduled for Oct. 13 at 5 p.m., with the winner advancing to the state finals at Villa Park Willowbrook on Oct. 16-17.
