Ella Wallace Throws Six Touchdowns As Edwardsville Romps Past Belleville East 38-0 In Girls Flag Football Playoff
The junior quarterback powered unbeaten Edwardsville past Belleville East at Tiger Stadium, setting up a sectional semifinal showdown with Champaign Central on Saturday.
EDWARDSVILLE — Ella Wallace threw six touchdown passes as unbeaten Edwardsville defeated Belleville East 38-0 Wednesday night, Oct. 7, 2026, at Tiger Stadium to win the IHSA girls flag football regional championship and advance to the sectional semifinals.
The junior quarterback connected with Kennedy Gieseking and Sophie Antonini for two touchdowns each, while Maksine Straub’s interception helped the Tigers take control. Edwardsville improved to 16-0 and will face Champaign Central at 10 a.m. Saturday at Charlie Woodford Field at Belleville East.
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“I'm excited, because everything that we've been practicing, we put to work tonight,” Edwardsville coach Taylor Hay said. “We told the girls, you show up and do your part, just like we have all season; that's what we've been telling them. I am very proud.”
Edwardsville scored on its opening possession for the third consecutive game. Wallace found Gieseking for a 6-yard touchdown with 6:59 remaining in the first quarter. The conversion pass failed, leaving the Tigers ahead 6-0.
Belleville East drove down the field on its first possession before Straub intercepted a pass and returned it to the Lancers’ 36-yard line. Edwardsville capitalized with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Wallace to Gieseking. Serena Shapiro caught the conversion pass in the back of the end zone to make it 13-0 early in the second quarter.
“I know Kennedy had two big touchdowns that were really important in the end zone,” Hay said. “But Maksine's interception kind of sealed the deal on their intensity, and kind of put it all in our court, which was nice.”
Antonini added a 2-yard touchdown reception later in the quarter, extending the lead to 19-0 after the conversion failed.
The Tigers’ defense got the ball back before halftime, and Wallace connected with Serena Shapiro for a 17-yard touchdown on the final play of the half. Gieseking caught the conversion pass for a 26-0 lead.
Edwardsville opened its second-half scoring with a hook-and-ladder play. Wallace passed to Zinnia Allen, who lateraled to Sophie Shapiro for a touchdown. The score pushed the lead to 32-0 and triggered the running clock rule.
Wallace’s 23-yard touchdown pass to Antonini late in the game completed the scoring.
Champaign Central, the top seed in its half of the bracket, enters Saturday’s semifinal at 12-2 after beating Peoria Richwoods 46-12 in its regional final.
“The further you get into the playoffs, the teams get better,” Hay said. “So, we prepare for the best team we're going to see.”
Bradley-Bourbonnais will face Minooka in the second sectional semifinal at noon Saturday. The winners will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday for a berth in the state finals.
The sectional champion will play in the fourth state quarterfinal at 7:45 p.m. Oct. 16 at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park.
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