The Raiders finished their flag football season Saturday with an 8-0 record.
Fifth graders from Andersonville and Bailey Lake elementary school made up the Raiders, part of the NFL Flag Football program started in Clarkston this year. Instead of playing 11-on-11 as in tackle football, they played 5-on-5 in one hour games.
Coach Kevin Bellant described the games as “action-packed.”
“Quite the athletes on the teams. All these kids have dreams to be on the varsity level,” said Bellant.
Bellant coached a few years ago. His son’s elementary school needed coaches, so he decided to give it a shot and make the time.
“It has been a phenomenal experience, watching these kids grow every week,” he said.
Names of the teams are based on NFL teams, with the same jerseys
The Raiders will play in the Michigan Youth Flag Football Championship this weekend at Walled Lake Northern High School. They will play at 2:15pm on field 3 and 4:00pm on field 2. Teams grades 2-12 from all over the Midwest will play at the championship.
“We’re so excited to go over there,” said Bellant.
“The Raiders will get the experience of playing football playing in a big stadium with their family and fans watching them.”