Flag Football Champs!

Willem's 2nd/3rd Kidsports flag football team finished the regular season last week with a 7-0-1 record. The top four teams in the league played in the championship tournament this past weekend. St. Paul won their semi-final game last Friday 13-7. Willem scored one TD and got the PAT. His buddy Ayden scored the other TD; after a fake hand-off to Willem, Ayden ran it in.

Willem then had to make the tough decision as to whether he would play in the football championship on Sunday or play in his last league soccer game with his EMFC Valencia team in Portland which took place at the same time. Willem did not want to disappoint either team and really struggled with what to do so we made the decision for him! We knew championship games don't come around very often and that he shouldn't let down his team in a championship game, so we told his soccer coach he would miss Sunday's soccer game. 

It was a pretty neat atmosphere at the championship game on Sunday. The boys played at the Churchill High School turf field with an announcer on the loud speaker calling the game. Chad and I were both there as was Uncle Marcus, Grandma, Grandpa, Cade and Nev. We got to hear Willem's name a lot as he did the kick-offs, ran the ball a lot, played some QB and got lots of 'tackles'. The boys played a team they barely beat in the regular season 24-18 with one particularly fast boy, Jermaine, so we expected a good tight game. The other team scored first but St. Paul responded quickly when Willem returned the kick-off for a TD. Will then caught a pass from Ayden and ran the ball in for the extra point making it 7-7. After a good defensive stop, St. Paul struck again when Ayden faked a hand-off to Willem and the defense followed Will, allowing Ayden to run it in over 50 yards (Ben, Jackson and others on the line made some great blocks which also allowed Ayden to have a lot of room to run and Ayden had to run fast as Jermaine was right on his tail the last 20 or so yards!). St. Paul made several other great defensive stops as did the other team until, in the 3rd quarter, Willem ran the ball over 50 yards for another TD making it 20-7. It was a blast watching Willem and his teammates play so well. They have all improved a bunch this season and lots of other boys made great tackles, great blocks and ran some good runs. The game ended at 20-7 with lots of happy St. Paul boys! 

After the game, the coaches asked if Willem still likes soccer more than football. Though Willem said that yes, he still likes soccer more, I know he had a TON of fun playing football and definitely hopes he can play again next year. We also had a ton of fun watching him and are very proud of our boy!

Ready for the opening kick-off

Not sure if Willem is trying to strip the ball or get the flag but Will and his teammate did stop the runnner!

Willem picking up the kick-off

...and starting his kick-off return

...headed in the other direction now

...and finally in for the TD!

Catching the pass from Ayden in the P.A.T. attempt

...headed for the goal line

...and he just barely gets in!

Willem getting Jermaine's flag

Ayden's TD run

Final score 20-7

Happy boys!

Some of the little sisters!

Chad and Cade helped with the coaching :)

Ayden and Ben both played great!

E-Dog (Ethan) and Willem

Happy boy after the win

Posing with the trophy!

Had to include this one with Nev wanting in the picture (sort of!)