3 Parkland Teams Compete in NFL Flag National Championship

The city of Parkland was on display, competing in the first-ever Flag Rootball Championship in Canton, Ohio.

After having three teams win the Regional Championship in March, the 8U boys team went 2-1 in pool play and advanced to the Sweet 16 in bracket play as well. Their first win came against the Beat Mass Mambas (MA) Patriots, 19-6, and they also had a win against the Blue Water Bulldogs Elite (MI) Lions, 19-0. They advanced in bracket play following a 30-0 victory over Beat Boyce Park, but lost to the Silverback Spartans 12-6 in the Sweet 16.

Laurent Robinson and Andrew Ramsarra are the coaches of their team, which consisted of Anthony Albanese, Nico Cabral, Breaker Craft, Mason Hazelwood, Cash Mitchell, Levi Robinson, Dylan Taylor, and Brady Torgerson.

The 10U team went 2-1 in pool play, beating the FXBG (NY) Giants 13-0 and the Turf Legends (OH) Browns 33-0. Their only loss came against Flex (NV) Raiders before they went on to lose in bracket play against the Club (FL) Jaguars. They were coached by Max Wyman and Todd Link and consisted of Mac Brier, Greyson Darienzo, Joey LeClaire, Kellen Link, CJ Mikosz, Austin Shah, James Wyman, and Joey Zalka.

The 14u girls team went 1-3, winning their only game against KC Heat 25-7. They scored one touchdown in their opening game, a 28-6 loss against Texas Fury Blue (TX) – Texans, while also falling 19-0 against THT Blue (NY) – Jets.

In bracket play, the 14u team fell to the PFFL Ladies of Steel (PA) Steelers 28-0. They were coached by Kraig Zaharia and Nirm Shah and featured Sam Acosta, Brenna Mazanec, Noa Rachimi, Hayden Schmidt, Avery Shah, Ainsley Weissman, and Isabella Miller.

Avery Shah was the MVP of the Regional Championship and played on the MSD varsity flag football team this past season, along with Acosta and Zaharia. Rachimi and Miller will each be freshmen this fall at MSD, while Weissman attends Westglades Middle School. Makenec plays at CSC, and Schmidt attends Boca Raton Community.