Rockford youth football teams head to national stage
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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.
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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.
Final practice scheduled before trip
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.
Players representing Rockford
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
The 10U team is coached by Lavar Johnson.
The 14U Rockford Bears roster includes:
- Charlie Gargani, Guilford High School
- Cordae Henson, Auburn High School
- Leon Horton, Rockford Lutheran School
- Vidale Johnson, East High School
- Jaxon Lester, Maria Montessori School
- Marquell Longs, East High School
- Amari McClelland, Harlem High School
- Carter Rolfe, East 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, [email protected] , 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