Throughout the 2026 Illinois high school girls flag football season, the Bears will recognize standout student-athletes through the Player of the Week Award, brought to you by Dunkin'. Each week, one player will be recognized for her outstanding performance on the field as well as her sportsmanship and community involvement off the field.

Buffalo Grove senior Kerra-Elizabeth Serrette received Week 5 Player of the Week honors for her impact on both sides of the ball that helped her team reach the Mid-Suburban League championship. Serrette, a rusher and defender, ranks among the state leaders in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and flag pulls. During a game last week against Lake Zurich, she recorded 155 total yards, one touchdown and 10 flag pulls, including one on fourth down at the one-yard line to help lead Buffalo Grove to a victory.

Serrette spoke with ChicagoBears.com about her Trinidadian roots, why she wanted to play flag football, her favorite Bears player and more.

What does winning Player of the Week from the Bears mean to you?

It means a lot to me. It shows me that my hard work is paying off and that I'm getting recognized for all the things I've done.

When did you start playing flag football?

I started playing football my sophomore year, and from then I just kept going since.

Why did you decide to try flag football?

I saw it was a new sport in our school, and I'm a very active person, so I just was like, 'why not?' I love running around and doing stuff, so it seemed very interesting. I've played a lot of sports before. 
I've tried lacrosse, soccer, track, wrestling, but flag football is definitely my favorite so far.

Are you from Chicagoland?

I'm from Trinidad and Tobago. We moved here some years ago. It's been a good amount of years.

Did you play sports growing up in Trinidad?

I was a full-time soccer player. I was in the soccer club and did a few track meets, but definitely soccer was the main one.

Were you a football fan before you started playing?

I knew nothing about the sport coming into it, and I had a lot of people telling me about it, explaining it to me and I just ended up loving it. And with my team here, I liked the environment and how we bring each other up while playing. 
And I get to run in 80-yard touchdowns with my team which is fun too.​

How has playing flag impacted your life?

It has impacted my life a lot. Before I didn't know anything about it, but now I've been researching a bunch of stuff, doing a bunch of stuff with it, planning to play in college. It's definitely become more of an important subject in my life.

If you could only pick one would it be offense or defense?

I would choose offense, because I've been having a lot of fun rushing. I love to do my option play with my quarterback, and we get a bunch of yards with that, and it's exciting celebrating with the team.​

Do you have any favorite Bears players right now?

From what I've seen, I'm loving the way Caleb Williams is playing. And he's my favorite number. We wear the same number.

Who were your sports idols growing up?

My family are big soccer fans, and I follow their team so Ronaldo was a big one from a young age, but as I started growing up, Sha'Carri Richardson was a big one because I'm also big in track, so she's a big influence in my life and hopefully I get to be on a big stage like her someday, whether it's track or flag.

Favorite moment from the season so far?

Definitely the pasta parties. We get to be ourselves, play games and just enjoy each other's company without having having the stress about football. We recently had one a few days ago. We made s'mores and played games as a team, so it was really fun.

What's your ideal future in flag football?

So I would definitely love to play in college and go into the extended levels like the Olympics, but if that's not an option, I would love to coach. 
I want to introduce more little girls to play and enjoy it as much as I did.