From State Champion to the College Game: Aribella Spandiary Leaves Her Mark at Maine South

By HER 7v7 Editorial Team

Aribella Spandiary's high school flag football career at Maine South has been defined by production, championships, individual recognition and an opportunity to continue playing the game at the collegiate level.

Now, the Class of 2026 quarterback is preparing for her next chapter at Mercyhurst University.

The Park Ridge, Illinois standout has developed into one of her state's most productive quarterbacks. According to information submitted to HER 7v7, Spandiary recorded 5,301 passing yards in her current season and 11,181 combined passing yards across her junior and senior seasons, while completing 75.3 percent of her passes.

Her production helped accompany something even bigger: a championship.

Spandiary and Maine South captured an Illinois state championship in 2025, adding a team accomplishment to a high school resume already filled with individual recognition.

Her submitted honors include 2025 Illinois Player of the Year, multiple All-State selections, three consecutive All-Conference and All-Area selections, four Chicago Bears Player of the Week recognitions and national-level honors.

She was also identified in the submission as the No. 1 quarterback in Illinois by MaxPreps and among the MaxPreps Top 100 flag football players.

Her progression has been years in the making.

Spandiary earned Honorable Mention All-State recognition in 2023 before receiving First Team All-State honors in both 2024 and 2025. She was also selected All-Conference and All-Area in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Her accomplishments extend beyond the Illinois high school season.

Among the additional honors submitted to HER 7v7 are an NFL regional championship with Maine South, NFL Regional Bears Franklin Sports MVP recognition, Talent ID USA MVP, a 2025 USA Select Bowl invitation, 2025 Green Bay AAU Junior Olympic MVP honors, recognition as a 2026 Pro Bowl NFC Player, Maxwell Football Player of the Year finalist recognition and MaxPreps Second Team All-American honors.

Behind the resume is an athlete described by her family as intensely competitive but equally committed to leadership and her teammates.

Spandiary has balanced athletics, academics and other responsibilities while continuing to train and pursue opportunities to improve. Her leadership has been characterized by a willingness to put in additional work while encouraging the athletes around her.

That work has now resulted in an opportunity to continue playing flag football beyond high school.

Spandiary has signed with Mercyhurst University, where she plans to continue her playing career while majoring in Early Childhood Education.

For a quarterback who has accumulated thousands of passing yards, collected individual honors and helped bring a state championship to Maine South, signing with Mercyhurst represents another milestone rather than the finish line.

HER 7v7 is proud to recognize Aribella Spandiary and looks forward to following the next chapter of her career at the collegiate level.