The NFL Flag Championships concluded on Sunday at the Hall of Fame Village in Canton, Ohio. The first-of-its-kind competition featured 280 NFL Flag regional winning teams of boys and girls and six international squads.
Nearly 2,860 of the best youth flag football players were in action from Friday to Sunday. All 32 NFL teams were represented across the flag football event.
The three-day event tournament hosted by NFL Flag highlighted competition between both 18-and-under girls and 15-and-under boys in a single elimination tournament that was broadcasted on NFL Network, NFL+, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.
Boys 15U championship
The Lockdown Legends Titans (Nolensville, Tennessee) and Metro Select Saints (Cedar Park, Texas) squared off in the boys 15-and-under NFL Flag Championship.
Metro Select took an 18-13 lead into halftime and never looked back, scoring on three straight possessions in the second half en route to a 38-13 win over the Legends.
The Saints' Landon Brazzell shined on defense with multiple sacks. He also turned in a highlight-reel play on offense with a dazzling catch-and-run to avoid multiple Legend defenders for a score.
"It was really awesome and fun,” Brazzell said in a postgame interview with ESPN. “[I’m] just blessed to get to do this stuff and play with my friends."
Metro Select wide receiver Daniel Berry also got in done on both ends of the field, recording two receptions for 33 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Berry contributed three interceptions, including a pick-six. He won the Most Valuable Player award for his performance.
“It feels amazing and I’m honored.” Berry said of winning the award.
After a sound victory, Metro Select has now captured back-to-back NFL Flag titles.
Girls 18U championship
The Staten Island Giants (Staten Island, New York) and Apex Predators Chargers (Las Vegas) partook in the girls 18-and-under NFL Flag Championship.
Initially a tight contest, Staten Island required a touchdown with no time remaining in the first half to go up, 14-7, before intermission. The future champions rode that momentum to another level in the second half, eventually achieving a 28-7 victory over the Apex Predators.
Giants quarterback Valentina Fanetti controlled the game with accurate throws. Staten Island’s defense contained the Apex Predators’ offense by contesting nearly every ball that was thrown, and didn’t allow a single point in the second half.
Fanetti completed 14 of 17 for 116 yards and four touchdowns, a sterling performance that earned her the game's MVP award.
“It honestly means the world,” Fanetti said in a postgame interview with ESPN. “I couldn’t have done it without all of my receivers out there.”
Fanetti's favorite targets were wide receivers Olivia Rijo and Allison Gandlin. Rijo caught six passes for 55 yards and a touchdown, while Gandlin recorded five receptions for 39 yards and two scores.
"It took a lot of grit, a lot of wanting to be here and a lot of teamwork," Rijo said after the game. "We worked so hard and this group of girls is one of the most unique that I have ever seen."