January, 2009

National Tournament of Champions

The NFL Flag National Tournament of Champions is held every November at Disneys Wide World of Sports complex in Florida.

Teams from all over the country compete in their regional qualifiers for a chance to make it to the National Championship.

This past year there were 12 qualifiers held from New Orleans to New England and from St Louis to San Diego. In the end 36 teams advanced to the tournament in three age groups; 9-11 co-ed, 12-14 boys and 12-14 girls. Courtesy of the NFL all expenses were paid for each winning team and their coach.

This past tournament was the biggest to date and the compeition was better than ever. After a long day of flag football fun and competition Mo Steel of Miami won the 9-11 co-ed title on the last play of the game, DAC Panthers of New York won the 12-14 boys division and the Dallas Cowboys from Texas won the 12-14 girls division.

The DAC Panthers from Queens NY are quickly becoming a Dynasty within the flag football world, the team has been together for 4 years now and has won 3 National Championships in those 4 years!!!

If thats not enough the Panthers have travelled to Germany (courtesy of the NFL) to repersent the USA in the World Championships.

It seems the sky is the limit for these boys from Queens and as 4 of the 7 players are only 13 they will get one more shot at winning the National Championships in 2009.

Last year local teams from Peabody got a chance to play against the Panthers in Gillette stadium they didnt beat the Panthers as the team went undefeated on the day and won the title but they did get to see what it takes to be the best!!!

 
The Panthers are hoping to return to Gillette this June to defend their title, do you think your team would have a shot???

The Big Blue from CT have won the last two New England regional qualifiers in the 9-11 coed category.

In 2007 the team reached the semi-final of the National Championships and lost to the Mo Steel of Miami 7-0.

The Big Blue have achieved many accomplishments over the years one of which was to win the Gillette stadium tournament last June, the team went 5-0 on the day and only give up 2 TD's in those 5 games.

The 2008 team didnt fair so well at the Nationals but will be trying to redeem themsleves at the Gillette tournament again this June by defending their title.

The NHFFL Red Storm made the trip north to Buffalo, NY to participate in their regional qualifier this past October.

The team from Pelham, NH breezed through the round robin and secured the #1 slot heading into the play-offs.

The Red Storm had a tough go of it in the Championship game as they were forced into OT against a team from Ontario Canada, but they held their nerve and made the trip worth while as they won the game in OT sending them to the national Championships for the first time.

The team drew a very tough bracket and failed to make an impact, however the whole team, parents and coaches had an experience of a lifetime.

The Red Storm also participated in the Gillette tournament last June and finished 4th out of 12 teams.

The team which is almost completely intact due to the amount of 10 yr olds on the team will be attending the Gillette tournament again this year to see if they cna go one better and try and take another championship!!!