The 2024 NFL Flag Championships had symbolism for both the 15U boys Metro Select and the 18U Staten Island Giants girls championship teams.
For the boys, representing the New Orleans Saints, this 2024 game was their second title in a row. Last year, Metro Select played the underdog, coming in and lighting up the competition en route to a victory many did not expect.
This year, the team proved they were not to be reckoned with.
“It feels amazing, I’m honored that we won. We trained hard,” said Daniel Berry, who had three total touchdowns and was named MVP for the second year in a row after the Select beat the Lockdown Legends (representing the Tennessee Titans) 38-13.
The Staten Island Giants, representing the New York Giants, were back at the same location where they won their first summer nationals in 2019. But this team is drastically improved from its ability five years ago.
“We were very bad,” said quarterback Valentina (Val) Fanetti with a laugh. “I wasn’t the brightest quarterback. I’d say my longest pass was five yards and I’d start clapping. All these girls would run maybe two-yard routes, and we’d all celebrate each other for making a catch like that. But now it’s like, 10-yard passes and we’re like, ‘You can do better.’”
Five years later, it’s night and day. Fanetti went 14-for-17 for 116 yards and four touchdown passes, impressing with her left-handed throwing arm and ability to lead receivers. With her passing and athletic receiving from her corps, the Giants beat the Apex Predators (Los Angeles Chargers) 28-7.
“We realized we really could be something and we are a family,” Fanetti said, referring to tournaments in years past. “From there, we worked so hard for the growth of this sport.”
Flag football is gaining momentum, with these NFL-sponsored championships bringing together 2,860 kids and the sport set to be in the 2028 Olympics.
“In the past five years, it grew enormous and this game is going to go (much) further,” said Giants head coach Michael Colt. “We have a lot of these athletes aspire to be in the 2028 Olympics, and that’s the next goal. When we set our mind to a goal, we go out there and work hard and we do what we can to help these girls achieve their goals.”
The boys, who are now set to shift to tackle football at the high school level, have seen training benefit from flag. Berry, whose primary position is slot receiver, said it helps with hand-eye coordination and foot movement, and head coach Yusef Pie said it helps learn skills without taking the body damage of tackle football.
“I believe flag football works on more skill work without taking a bunch of hits,” Pie said. “As people work on their skills, their skillset, and getting as many skills as you can without taking on hits, you’re going to last longer.”
Metro Select was a perfect conflagration of offense and defense. Berry had three interceptions, one a pick-six, and had two touchdown catches from Eli Frye. The quarterback completed all 10 passes he threw, half of which went for touchdowns.
“We’ve been playing for so long too, and our connection is so much better than everyone else’s,” Berry said about Frye’s quarterback work.
While Select only had possession for 1:54 of the first half, the lockdown defense gave them an advantage that the Legends couldn’t fight against. Pie credited Landon Brazell’s quick decision-making and sacks as factors in forcing the Legends into poor possessions.
Pie said that after playing on the national stage before, the team had rid itself of first-time jitters.
“This one right here felt like we were at home again,” he said.
The girls team, which won in 2019 and 2021, were back with a vengeance before going to college. Colt said every girl received a college scholarship, and nearly every one of them is aiming to participate in college athletics.
Olivia Rijo led the team with 55 receiving yards and scored a touchdown to increase the lead to 14-7. Allison Gandlin, who was named NFL Flag Player of the Year earlier this year, had a pair of touchdowns and an interception. The Predators took the first lead of the game, but the Giants answered and never looked back.
Fanetti, who is entering her second year at Kaiser University, is looking forward to the future of the sport.
“I think it’ll earn more respect by the year,” said said. “Within the 5 years of growth I’ve been in, it’s gained a lot of respect, and I think when it comes to the Olympics, much more people will take it seriously.”