Flag football teams flying south

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown has produced its fair share of athletes and coaches that have gone on to make an impact at both the collegiate and professional level.

The grass fields and playgrounds of the Mahoning Valley helped shaped many of those players. Now, a new generation is ready to take flight.

Literally.

Two Youngstown Youth Flag Football Association teams will compete in a tournament on Saturday in Laudhill, Fla.

The 9-11 coed team along with a team of girls ages 12-14 received an all-expenses paid trip to South Florida that includes hotel accommodations, food, transportation and social events with 22 other teams from around the country.

“It has that grown-up type feel for these kids,” said Elliott Giles, league president and coach of the girls team. “They have no idea until they land in Florida that all their hard work paid off and they finally made it”

Giles led a girls team to Florida, last year, while his boys team fell short in the regional championship.

This year, two squads won the regional division hosted by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Zane Cylar, Julian Diaz, Michael Diaz, Parker Flower, Seth Flower, Zion Gilmore, Michael Masucci Raymond Minitti III, Bryson Pegram and Bejamin Shapiro make up the 9-11 team coached by John Diaz.

The 12-14 girls team includes Alyssa Acevedo, Macy Diaz, Alexis Diaz, Alexis Giles, Rylee Leider, Raegan Meals, Rylee Meals, Baylie Mook, Emily Moretti and Sarah Moretti.

A 30-minute television special featuring action from the national championships will air on April 1 at 2:30 p.m.

“We’re very blessed and fortunate,” Giles said. “I told them to just soak it all in because it will be a great experience.

“It’s a tremendous accomplishment for a little city in Ohio.”