NYS Flag Football finds a new home field

A cheer tunnel of young Niwot Youth Sports athletes assembled on the new Niwot High School football field last Friday to welcome their favorite NHS football players onto the field for the first time ever.

Many stayed on a soggy and cold night to watch Niwot High's football team win their first homecoming game played at the school. Two days later, on a bright and sunny morning, it was their turn to play. The Niwot Youth Sports flag football athletes made their debut at home at Niwot High School on Sunday, Sept. 11. The 100-yard field transformed into three NFL flag fields as the co-ed Rookie, JV, Varsity and All-Pro Divisions all got a chance to play on the brand new turf.

The Rookie Division for kindergarteners focuses on flag football fundamentals and scrimmages each other every week. The Rookie Division Vikings Yellow edged out the Vikings Purple Sunday morning 21-14.

In the JV Division (1st/2nd grade), the Rams dominated this week in their double header and came away with two decisive victories against the Bills, 25-0, and the Cardinals, 21-0. The Broncos had a great turnaround from last week and won their game against the Colts, 14-8.

The All-Pro Division (5th/6th grade) welcomed a few new teams this week as a previous partnership with NoCo Flag Football fell through earlier in the season. The Bills were upset by the Ravens, 25-14, with the Ravens going on to win again, 37-14, against the Cardinals. The 49ers won their first victory in the NYS league, beating the Giants, 21-0.

The very competitive Varsity Division (3rd/4th grade) had the most exciting action of the weekend. The Rams are now 2-0 and leading the division after edging out the Broncos, 12-6. Rams fourth grader Boden Hay had two interceptions, one of which he ran back for a pick-6. Quarterback Luiz Gonzalez threw a touchdown pass to Lincoln Hayes for their second score.

Coach Micah Hayes has been impressed with the level of play overall, stating, "There are some really talented kids in this league who are coached the right way, so every victory is hard fought."

The Varsity Division Giants beat the Steelers in a nail-biter, 14-12. Giants coach Randy Morse credited Theo Christopoulos and quarterback Abby Morse for executing two consecutive extra points which ultimately gave the Giants their victory. Theo Sewell scored both touchdowns for the Giants and linebacker Oliver Morse saved the victory with a last minute end-of-game flag pull. The Steelers saw scores from Casey Fronckiewicz on a long run and quarterback Chance Yazinski connected with Mason Paradis for the other. The Steelers were not able to come up with either extra point, but kept the game close for the entire 60 minutes. Most of the Giants team plays baseball and flag football together and coach Morse could not be more proud of his team for their grit and for their hard work in practice.

The Steelers played the Saints next and ended the day with a win and a loss after beating the Saints, 12-0. Dylan Tabolt caught a long touchdown pass and Casey Fronckiewicz ran for another while defensive MVP honors went to Sydney Steen, who blitzed all game long, and Mason Paradi,s who might consider teaching a master class in flag pulling. Steelers coach Jeremy Yazinski has four players who have been together for the past four seasons, and four new players, and is very proud of his team's collaboration and teamwork thus far. Yazinski says his team's motto is, "Play hard, play smart, and play for each other."

Flag football games will continue each Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Niwot High School for the remainder of the season. Special kudos also go out to the Niwot High School varsity football players who came out early on Sunday to referee after a long Homecoming weekend.