Junior Indians Girls to Shine at Soldier Field Halftime Playoff Game

Rockton, IL - There are nights in sports that belong to the pros, and then there are nights when the pros make room for the kids who remind us why the game matters. This Saturday, twelve seventh‑grade girls from the Junior Indians will take that kind of stage — Soldier Field, halftime of the Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears playoff game — and they’ll do it carrying the kind of confidence that comes from a season of hard work and a community that believes in them.

The Junior Indians finished second in the 12‑team Rockford Park District Girls NFL Flag Football League, a remarkable finish for a roster made up largely of first‑ and second‑year players. What began as a collection of newcomers and returners has become a battle‑tested, tight‑knit unit — a monster that opponents in the Rockford area learned to respect and fear.

This isn’t a team of flash‑in‑the‑pan stars. These girls learned the game together. They learned how to block space without contact, how to read coverages without pads, how to celebrate each other’s successes and cover for each other’s mistakes. By midseason they were no longer a surprise; they were a standard.

Their offense found balance. Their defense swarmed. Their sideline energy became contagious. Week after week, the Junior Indians proved that fundamentals, effort, and chemistry can outpace experience. That growth is what earned them a spot on one of the NFL’s most storied fields.

Coaches Who Made It Happen

Credit where credit is due. Head Coach Michael Piller and assistant George Pleshkewych deserve the lion’s share of the applause for molding this group. Coach Piller’s steady hand and clear teaching, paired with Coach Pleshkewych’s attention to detail, turned a roster of eager kids into a disciplined, confident squad.

They taught routes and reads, yes, but they also taught resilience. They taught how to huddle up after a turnover and how to celebrate a teammate’s touchdown like it was your own. That kind of coaching builds more than wins; it builds character.

A Fast‑Moving Opportunity

The chance to play at Soldier Field came together quickly. Word arrived on Monday that the girls had been invited to take part in the halftime showcase for this weekend’s playoff clash. Parents rearranged schedules. Coaches adjusted plans. The players? They were ready.

This is the second time the majority of these girls have played on Soldier Field turf. Earlier in the season they performed at halftime and made a national ripple when a perfectly executed hook‑and‑ladder play found the end zone and drew mention on the NFL broadcast. The roar that followed that play is still a memory they carry into this weekend.

Roster: Twelve Players, One Heart

Lacey Owens, Angela Scott, Kaitlyn Leesley, Jemma Roberts, Maddex Piller, Bree Monahan, Izzy Burgess, Alyssa Gulik, Liliana Pleshkewych, Natalie LaPier, Mila Anthony, Ginny Cauchak. Twelve names that represent hours of practice, countless carpool rides, and a community’s pride. Twelve players who will run, throw, catch, and defend under the lights in front of thousands.

More Than a Halftime Show

This event is part of a larger effort by the Rockford Park District and the Chicago Bears to showcase youth flag football. The Park District’s middle school league grew quickly last fall, and the Bears’ support helped launch opportunities for hundreds of girls across the region. For these Junior Indians, the halftime scrimmage is both a reward and a reminder of how far the sport has come locally.

The NFL gameday experience will include sideline access, and the chance to be part of one of football’s oldest rivalries. For these young athletes, it’s a classroom without walls — a place to learn how to carry themselves on a big stage.

Who Are They Rooting For?

When asked about their rooting interest for the Packers‑Bears game, the Junior Indians were clear. They’re leaning heavily toward the Chicago Bears. It’s a hometown kind of loyalty, and you can’t blame them. Still, whether the scoreboard favors Chicago or Green Bay, the halftime show belongs to the girls who earned it.

A special thank you goes out to Coach Piller, Coach Pleshkewych, and Alan Mohring for helping make this possible. Their work behind the scenes — organizing, coaching, advocating, and photographing — is the reason these girls get to stand where they will on Saturday. And to the players: thank you for letting us share your story with our community.

If you’re heading to Chicago for the game, stick around at halftime. Watch these twelve young athletes light up the turf. Watch them reconnect as teammates, showcase the skills that made them a formidable foe in the Rockford area, and remind everyone in the stands why youth sports are worth supporting.

Go luck, girls — BEAR DOWN and GO PACK GO.