2011

NSFFL Competes in NFL FLAG National Tournament of Champions

Feb 24th 2011, 8 boys from the North Shore Flag football league along with their parents, made the trip to Disneyland in sunny south Florida for the NFL FLAG National tournament of Champions. 24 teams in total from across the USA representing 3 age groups and 8 regional qualifiers made the trip courtesy of the NFL to compete for a National title. This is the 4th trip for the NSFFL to the NFL FLAG tournament of Champions but the first time in the 9-11 co-ed division. The team travelled to NJ last November to earn their spot in the National tournament by beating out 39 other teams from across New England.
After arriving at the all-star sports resort late afternoon on Thursday the team checked in and received their game jerseys, Disney park passes, schedule of events and Disney gift cards. Everyone got up early Friday morning as all teams had the day off, the NSFFL Patriots headed to Disneys Hollywood studios to make the most of their free time and after a fun filled morning of rides the team made its way to Epcot where everyone rode the race cars around the test track. After a long day on their feet the team headed back to the sports resort hotel for a final practice, dinner and a well earned dip in the pool.
Saturday was the day of the tournament and the teams met for breakfast at 6:15am before boarding the bus to the ESPN wide sorld of sports complex. The NSFFL players and coaches were full of excitement and hope as expectations were high, every player on the team was the best in their league and with a convincing regional tournament victory in NJ aspirations of winning the tournament were warranted.
The Patriots first game was at 9:30am against the New Orleans Champions from Houma,
Louisiana. The NSFFL offense struggled despite some good runs from Spencer Persson and with the NFL FLAG tournament rule of the coaches can’t coach the kids during the game, it was a difficult start, and at the end of the first half the Patriots were down 14-0 after they were beaten by two well thrown deep passes. In the second half the Patriots held the Saints to just one TD after 2 interceptions from Devon Allen and one from Henny Vlaun along with a sack from Cameron Loizides but the offense couldn’t put points on the board so the North Shore boys lost their opening game 20-0.
Their second game was straight after their first at 10am and the Patriots went up against the Cincinnati Bengals Tournament winners from Fort Wayne, IN. The Bengals scored first but the Patriots offense stepped it up as all-star Devon Allen scored twice with extra points from Jake Gustin and Jordan MacAfee. The NSFFL all-stars had the lead going into the final minute, however it was not meant to be as the Patriots were again beat deep putting the Bengals up 20-14 as time expired.

The last round robin game before lunch was against defending champions Mo Steel from Miami, Florida that won the Dallas Cowboys regional. The Patriots held the Cowboys to just 7 first half points after 2 sacks from Noah Neville but after turning the ball over three times the offenseagain struggled. In the second half the wheels came off a little as the Patriots were mercy ruled 28-0 just before time expired.
After a quick lunch provided by the NFL the boys found out they were seeded 8th and would have to go up against the #1 seeded Arizona Cardinals Champions from Gilbert Arizona. The team rallied and knowing that this could be the last game played their best football of the tournament, in the first half the Cardinals scored on the first play of the game but the Patriots answered back quickly with a TD pass from Noah Neville to Spencer Persson. On the Cardinals next drive they scored again on one play to the same receiver, the boys were shell shocked but didn’t give up and with another TD pass from Noah Neville to Jordan MacAfee and Devonn Allen with the conversion the boys were back in it again. In the second half Henny Vlaun had a team high 4 sacks but the Cardinals still managed to put up two more scores and went on to win the game 25-13.

Every player from the NSFFL put in their best effort and should be proud of their accomplishments. Making it to the final 8 was a great achievement, the boys got a tough draw and ended up playing the 2 teams that made the championship game and altogether 4 out of the top 5 teams. The teams stayed back to watch the Championship games and when it was all said and done Mo Steel of Miami beat out the Arizona Cardinals 20-14 for the National title. It was then a quick trip back to the All-star sports resort and changed for the evening banquet, awards ceremony and fireworks before heading back to the complex for one more swim in the pool. The team left the 85 degree weather and Disney at 5am morning to catch their flight back to snowy Boston.
The coaches and parents encouraged the boys every step of the way and couldn’t be prouder of every player for giving it their all. Despite loosing all their games the boys learned some valuable lessons in football and life and will have some memories that will last a lifetime.
The NSFFL players, coaches and parents would all like to extend thanks and gratitude to the NFL FLAG and NFL youth department for putting it all together and giving the kids the opportunity to participate in such an amazing event. We would also like to thank the New England Patriots for donating gift bags for the kids and writing them letters of encouragement.
Only 3 of the boys will be returning next year due to the age requirements so the NSFFL will be looking to fill 5 spots for the 2011 campaign. There are no “try-outs” for the all-star team players are invited to attend tournaments throughtout the year and players are selected on their game performances in the tournaments.

Coaches
Danny Batista
Jonathan Riviera
Nicky “The Italian Stallion” Lepore
Noah “Baby Mamba” Neville
Jordan “Big Mamba” MacAfee
Spencer “Bieber” Persson
Devonn “Hops” Allen
Cameron “Stuff” Loizides
Henny “Hurricane” Vlaun
Jake “puss in boots” Gustin