ith adrenaline rushing through veins and victory on the line, the field becomes a stage for thrilling showdowns as teams fight for supremacy in sports competitions.
This was no different for students who competed in the MN Sports and Fitness For Youth (SAFFY) flag football tournament hosted on Apr. 23. The players, forming eight teams of six, all competed in a double elimination bracket for the championship title.
Although there was a great desire to win and fierce competition between the teams, the tournament offered an opportunity for participants to play a sport they are passionate about and helped foster the SAFFY’s goal: to promote fitness and spark youth interest in sports.
“We wanted to create an experience for our friends and fellow Mustangs who chose not to commit to a varsity sport. Some parents place emphasis on education over athletics, so we offer the students the opportunity to compete in these sports they are passionate about,” junior co-founder Luke Glasgow said.
To make this first tournament as enjoyable as possible for both the players and fans, the club founders put in extensive effort by implementing personalized touches and additional activities.
“Organizing this all was a very lengthy process, requiring hours upon hours every week, but it was worth it. We took the extra effort to create custom trophies for the top three teams, add a large slap-on bracket, and host a perfect bracket challenge,” junior co-founder Sharish Shapkota said.
The players and coaches appreciated the effort that was put in by the leaders, as the competitive, but playful environment provided a unique experience for everyone involved.
“[The tournament] was fantastic, although we didn’t do the best, it was still fine as I got to play against and with some real tough football players and competition,” sophomore Gummy Bears team player Anuraag Ganti said.
Yet, no matter the results of the game, these players had a lot of encouragement from all the fans showing up to support and cheer on their teams.
“We ended up having more than just competitors show up to the event to watch, including parents, varsity athletes, and other Millard North students. Everyone was very competitive, friendly with one another, and most importantly had a lot of fun,” Shapkota said.
All the teams thrived in this enviornment, maintaining their competitiveness; the teams put off tough fights, with many coming down to the wire and some even going into overtime.
“It was a great atmosphere; all the different people were extremely hype. Everyone brought the energy as there was a lot on the line; I underestimated the level of intensity that everyone would come out with, ” Ganti said.
But at the end of the day, only one team could emerge victorious: the Blickers. This squad went undefeated the whole tournament, beating Meg Elite in the final by a score of 27-18.
“I was extremely happy with the results. We ended up winning the championship, all thanks to my team, but overall it was extremely great for us and the tournament,” junior player and coach Dracen Godfrey said.
With the conclusion of the tournament, SAFFY embraced the spirit of sportsmanship and unity, undoubtedly running a successful event.
“We continue looking forward to where this club can go. We want to create an inclusive environment for everyone, so we are letting the students vote on which sports we should play next. It seems beach volleyball is next,” Shapkota said.
The flag football tournament was only the first step up SAFFY’s staircase. Club organizers agree that it is only the starting point for events that are yet ido to come.
“This event could allow us to establish the other side of the club, where we can run our future elementary school field day events that can give even more kids the opportunity to play sports,” Glasgow said.
Overall, this tournament proved to be a huge accomplishment for the SAFFY organization and provided a phenomenal experience for MN students and athletes.