NFL Flag Football finished their first season in Clarkston on a successful note.
The program has been running for eight years. In 2001, it began as a football league for adults.
From there it has grown to camps and clinics for kids. Then, it grew to include flag football.
The program has thrived in heavy football communities. After a run last year in Lake Orion, the program was brought to Clarkston in September, said Executive Director Brian Ledin.
“We came to Clarkston because of its great football community,” Ledin said.
The program has been a success with 250 participants, the most the program has seen to date, he said.
Participants of the program are in elementary and middle school. Each school has a team for each grade.
“Great program for them to start. It gives the kids a chance to play football and get their feet wet,” said Ledin.
The program opened doors for kids who never thought about playing or were playing a different sport.
They also got to play with classmates and to have school pride, he said.
A supplement to tackle ball, flag football players learn fundamentals of the game, in a safer environment.
The program ran for eight weeks, one game a week. Some teams are set to play in the Michigan Youth Flag Football Championship this weekend at Walled Lake High School.
Saturday events ended with a big pizza party, trophies for the kids and coaches, and one last game.
The NFL Flag Football Program is working on a spring league, from April to June. The league would allow tackle players a chance for off-season conditioning, as well as to learn and have fun playing football.