Guilford Lady Vikings clinch trip to the first IHSA Girls State Flag Football Tournament

HARVARD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The Guilford girls' flag football team is one of eight teams that will participate in the first IHSA Girls' Flag Football State Tournament. The Lady Vikings clinched that trip for this weekend by winning the Harvard Sectional Championship Game Wednesday evening.

Guilford defeated Lake Villa Lakes 38-12. The Lady Vikings led by only eight points at halftime 14-6, but early in the second half with the Eagles driving at Guilford's five-yard line, Guilford safety Zariah Burnett intercepted a pass in the end zone, and she returned it 102 yards the other way to give Guilford breathing room and momentum.

Guilford followed that up with a touchdown pass from Aisha Smith to Kamorrah Strong to widen the lead. Late in the game Marhzani Lambert added another pick-6 for Guilford and the celebration was on.

Guilford will head to Willowbrook high school in Villa Park Friday night for a state quarterfinal game. The Lady Vikings will take on Chicago Lane Tech. The state semifinals, consolation game and championship game will all be played this Saturday at the same location.

Guilford went to the state tournament the last two years when it was held by the Chicago Public School District and by the Chicago Bears before the IHSA decided to sanction flag football. Guilford finished fourth at state the last two years.

For highlights of this game, watch the media player above.