The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Caro Contractors Lady Avengers and EDLC Lions are the 2023 flag football champions.

The Bahamas Flag Football League (BFFL) season ended this past Sunday at the Winton Rugby Field after the final four teams battled to the finish.

The Lions overcame Oasis Team Red Dot to secure their title win.

Meanwhile, the Lady Avengers took care of business in the finals against the Fidelity/Money Maxx Phoenix Fire to win their first championship title.

Lions vs Team Red Dot

The Lions collectively earned their second title win for the franchise after defeating Team Red Dot 26-19 to quell their first-time title aspirations. The team initially thought they would be going into the matchup shorthanded after quarterback Theran Evans sustained a hyperextended knee injury.

However, the quarterback showed up to play along with wide receiver Ryan Delva who claimed Most Valuable Player (MVP) honours in the championship win.

The featured matchup between the two powerhouse teams started with the Lions scoring the first touchdown of the bout.

Team Red Dot quickly returned the favour and scored a touchdown of their own to even the score. With eight minutes remaining in the first quarter, Team Red Dot scored another touchdown on their opponent, seemingly building momentum going into the last half of the BFFL season.

However, it was not long before the Lions scored their final touchdown of the half. Team Red Dot had the advantage going into the second half due to a touchdown and one -point conversion, making the score 19-12.

Ultimately, Team Red Dot was unable to score in the second half while the Lions upped the ante on defence and offence to earn the gritty win.

Travis Thompson, head coach of the Lions, appeared emotional as he described the title win.

“At the end of the day we just persevered, we said that once we believe in each other and continue to play Lions football nobody could beat us, we stayed together and played Lions football and came out with the win,” Thompson said.

He said although he felt the league counted them out, the team continued to stick together and fight and now the celebration will be amazing as they dedicate this win to Phillip Rahming who was instrumental in helping to build the Lions organisation.

Delva, the team’s MVP, amassed two touchdowns in the finals victory and said it felt amazing to win the honour but it was a team effort and, after seven years, they all worked hard and refused to leave without the victory.

Evans, who returned to play in the Lions’ championship game after last-minute medical clearance, said the team was really behind him and he did not have to do too much coming back from injury.

“I just had to do my job and they finished it for me…it’s been a long time coming, we have been fighting for years. I feel we were supposed to get it last year but we got it now,” he said.

Lady Avengers vs Phoenix Fire

The Lady Avengers brought home their first title of the franchise a year after their men won the championship hardware. The women’s team wrapped up the Phoenix Fire 8-3 to emerge as champions.

Phoenix Fire opened the finals match 3-0 on the Lady Avengers. The latter got on the scoreboard after a touchdown by the team’s MVP running back Phylicia Sargent. The score was 6-3 favouring the newest champions going into the second half. The game wrapped up with the Lady Avengers adding two more points to their total and the Phoenix Fire remaining scoreless in the second half.

Cordero Fernander, head coach of the Lady Avengers, talked about how it felt to see the team win their first BFFL championship. “It feels good. I give all honour and glory to God, without him we are not here, these girls deserve this, they put in the work all season from October and January. Being in the league for nine years, it is finally good to get one,” he said.

Fernander added that it was an evenly matched game and despite the few mental lapses by his team, they were able to hold on and get the win.

Sargent, the team’s MVP, said the win felt wonderful and great and she added that the team is overwhelmed with joy and she cannot put into words how great the celebration will be.