Youth Football Teams Shine at NFL Flag Championships
At the second annual NFL Flag Championships in Canton, Ohio, youth football teams from across the country showcased their talent in both the High School Girls and 14-Under Boys divisions. The event brought together young athletes representing all 32 NFL teams, highlighting the growing popularity of flag football.
In the girls’ final, the Texas Fury Texans emerged victorious with a dominant 19-0 shutout over the Bad Rabbits Cowboys. This win marked a strong comeback for the Fury team, who had previously fallen in the semifinals of the inaugural tournament. Game MVP Emery Beckett played a pivotal role, completing 8 out of 8 passes for 102 yards and three touchdowns. Her key connections included a 12-yard score to Zahara Hill, a first-half touchdown to Kelsey Quinn, and a 3-yard toss to Hill in the game’s final moments.
The defensive efforts of Kaitlyn Reynolds and Sonya Chalil were also crucial, as they recorded interceptions that helped secure the victory. The Bad Rabbits Cowboys, representing the Dallas Cowboys, advanced to the final after defeating AA Select (Philadelphia Eagles) 7-0 in one semifinal. Meanwhile, the Texas Fury narrowly edged out Conquer (Los Angeles Chargers) 7-6 in the other semifinal.
On the boys’ side, the Jaguars Elite claimed the 14-Under Boys division title with a 13-0 victory over Showtime, which represented the Atlanta Falcons. Tournament MVP Brysen Wright was instrumental in the win, leading the Jaguars with his strong performance on defense. Wright, a 14-year-old standout, broke up a critical pass during the game’s final moments when Showtime attempted a fourth-down conversion.
Jaguars quarterback Dalton Motes delivered an efficient performance, completing 8 of 12 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. His scoring strikes came on a 30-yard play to Jaiden Barnett and a 15-yard connection with Ry’land Williams. Wright’s impressive tournament run saw him score 10 touchdowns in seven games, including a viral one-handed catch that gained attention from NFL stars like Patrick Mahomes and Bijan Robinson.
Despite recording more passing yards (117-104), Showtime struggled with third-down conversions, managing only 1 of 6 attempts. Their quarterback, Januel Morales, completed 8 of 13 passes for 73 yards and one interception, while teammate Vincenzo Mena added 51 yards on 4 of 10 completions.
The Jaguars Elite advanced to the final after defeating RFP (Buffalo Bills) 41-12 in one semifinal, while Showtime topped High Intensity (San Francisco 49ers) 13-7 in the other.
Growing Popularity of Flag Football
The three-day competition featured approximately 300 teams from all 32 NFL clubs, competing across 12 divisions. The event also included international contests, with eight teams traveling from countries such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
Flag football is gaining momentum as it prepares for its debut as an official sport at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. In May, the NFL announced that its players will be allowed to compete in the event, further elevating the sport’s profile.
As the sport continues to grow, events like the NFL Flag Championships provide young athletes with valuable opportunities to showcase their skills and gain exposure. With increasing participation and media attention, flag football is set to become an even more prominent part of the sports landscape in the coming years.
