Two Rockford Park District youth flag football teams are heading to the NFL Flag Championships after earning national tournament berths through regional qualifying competition.
The Rockford Park District’s 10U Rockford Bears and 14U Rockford Bears teams secured spots in the event, according to a community announcement. The tournament is scheduled for July 23-26 at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Indiana.
The Rockford Park District launched its NFL Flag Football program in 2002. The district says the league is one of the longest-running NFL Flag programs in the country and the nation’s second-oldest continuously operating NFL Flag league, according to the announcement.
More than 350 boys and girls teams representing 32 NFL clubs are expected to compete at the championships. The event is considered the premier youth flag football tournament for NFL Flag regional winners.
Flag football participation has expanded worldwide, with more than 20 million players across more than 100 countries and six continents, according to the announcement. The non-contact version of football focuses on skill development and provides opportunities for athletes of varying backgrounds and experience levels.
The Rockford Bears teams are scheduled to hold one final practice before departing for Indiana.
The practice is set for 5:30 p.m. July 21 at Clarence Hicks Sports Complex.
The 10U Rockford Bears roster includes:
- Donterious Ashford, Cherry Valley Elementary School
- Jayceon Craig, RESA Middle School
Aamarion Crittle, Machesney Park Elementary School
Jaxson Mangruen, Cherry Valley Elementary School
Kaden Martinez, Bloom Elementary School
Carmelo McClelland, Whitehead Elementary School
Kamden Montoya, Jones-Farrar
Dominic Sherman, Rockford Christian
Demarious Tyler Jr., Riverdahl Elementary School
Cooper Whaley, Brookview Elementary School
Donterious Ashford, Cherry Valley Elementary School
Aamarion Crittle, Machesney Park Elementary School
Jaxson Mangruen, Cherry Valley Elementary School
Kaden Martinez, Bloom Elementary School
Carmelo McClelland, Whitehead Elementary School
Dominic Sherman, Rockford Christian
Demarious Tyler Jr., Riverdahl Elementary School
Cooper Whaley, Brookview Elementary School
The 10U team is coached by Lavar Johnson.
The 14U Rockford Bears roster includes:
Charlie Gargani, Guilford High School
Leon Horton, Rockford Lutheran School
Jaxon Lester, Maria Montessori School
Amari McClelland, Harlem High School
Cameron Wagaman, Rockford Lutheran School
Harris Wagaman, Rockford Lutheran School
The 14U team is coached by Martin Hyatte and Jonata Pike.
This story was created by reporter Nida Tazeen, NTazeen@usatodayco.com , with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford youth football teams head to national stage
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