By Ashley Ferraro
2024 SUPER BOWL WINNERS!
Boys
- 6/7-Chiefs • 8/9-Texans • 10/11-Jets
- 12/13-Commanders
- High School-Commanders
Girls
- 6-8 Chiefs • 9-11 Cowgirls
- 12-14- Bears
- High School- Chargers
Parkland Flag Football has just wrapped up its biggest season to date, marking an extraordinary year of growth, and creating a legacy for years to come. With record-breaking participation and an expanded roster of divisions, the league continues to shine as a cornerstone of youth sports in Parkland.
Parkland Flag Football hosted its largest league ever this past fall, with notable growth in girls’ divisions. For the first time, the league introduced a division for six-year-old girls, reflecting the sport’s surging popularity among young athletes. Next year, the organization hopes to align girls’ divisions with the boys’ structure, offering two-year age group increments for balanced competition.
The season culminated in a series of thrilling championship events. On November 8, nine division Super Bowls took place, following the excitement of conference Super Bowls earlier in the week. The unique conference format, which divides large divisions into smaller groups for regular-season play, ensures a fair and competitive structure. Champions from each conference then face off in a grand finale. This year’s Super Bowls included divisions for boys and girls across all age groups, from six-year-olds to high school students.
In addition to carnival games, food trucks, and neighborly camaraderie, the league also celebrated its players and volunteers with special awards and scholarships. $9,000 in college scholarships were awarded through the Drew Weiner Memorial Scholarship program, established in memory of the beloved former coach.
Several volunteers were recognized in the award ceremony as well. Two dedicated coaches, Adam Harmelin and Daniel Levine, received Lifetime Achievement Awards for their years of service. Additionally, the Freddy the Ref Humanitarian Award, named after everyone’s favorite referee, Freddy, honored board member Marni Rachimi for going above and beyond in support of the league.
Next up for Parkland Flag is its NFL Flag league. This relatively new winter season, branded as “Friday Night Lights,” kicks off in January. This fast-paced program follows NFL Flag’s national rules and offers players the opportunity to compete in regional tournaments, with the potential to advance to national championships at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Spots for the NFL Flag program are filling quickly, with registration to close December 22—or sooner if capacity is reached.
In another testament to Parkland Flag’s rapid development, the league launched its first travel program, Parkland Storm, allowing players to compete at a higher level. While still in its infancy, the program has already introduced local teams to regional tournaments, with plans for further development and tryouts in the coming year.
Parkland Flag’s explosive growth mirrors the rising popularity and recognition of flag football on both national and global levels. With the sport set to debut as an Olympic event in 2028 and Division I college scholarships, now available for girls, the future of flag football has never looked brighter.
For more information or to register, visit www.parklandflag.com
