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Former YYFFA players renew football ties
By ERIC FORTUNE
YOUNGSTOWN
After his senior season in 1999 at Youngstown State University, where he helped lead the Penguins to the Division I-AA title game, Elliott Giles got involved in flag football.
Giles played for eight years and was struck at how competitive the sport was and was looking for a way to involve kids as he is a teacher by trade. Doing the research he came upon NFL-sponsored flag football and what the criteria was and how to get it started.
As Giles described it, the rest is history as the Youngstown Youth Flag Football Association celebrated 10 years on Sunday at Rocky Ridge.
Giles invited back alumni consisting of players making headlines on a daily basis this high school football season: Mark Waid (Girard), Dra Rushton (Liberty), Parker Sherry (East Palestine), Michael O’Horo (Boardman), Jakari Lumsden (Austintown Fitch) and J.D. Hall (Struthers), to name a few.
At least three dozen current Valley high school football players with YYFFA roots converged on the Wick Recreation Area on Sunday.
“I never would have envisioned it growing to the magnitude of what it is right now,” Giles said. “It’s more humbling than anything. Because of that success, that is what kind of drove this alumni event. Just to see the success our former players are having in high school, it drove me to just make this happen.
“Due to the gratitude of them and willingness to help out, we had a great turnout. It’s just a blessing to have them here and relive some of the memories they had when they played flag football.”
For Waid, what he’s gained from being in the league has been invaluable as he’s put up these numbers: 2,400 yards passing (28 touchdowns) and 898 yards rushing (16 TDs) for unbeaten Girard (9-0).
“Flag football, especially in Elliott’s league, is incredible,” Waid said. “It teaches you so much about footwork, reading defenses, and throwing the ball — all the basics and fundamentals that you need.”
He’ll look to finish a perfect regular season for the Indians on Friday when they host rival Liberty. The Leopards (7-2) have been led by Rushton, who has rushed for 1,021 yards and passed for 542.
“It was a great experience,” Rushton said. “I got to meet a lot of these guys. We’re still friends today. It’s like a big family here.”
The sentiment echoed by Rushton was a constant theme as these players have taken what they learned to their high school playing days.
“It was definitely one of the more fun moments of my childhood because of all the people you meet around the area,” O’Horo said. “Learning, really, the basics of football. Learning how to compete the right way. Mr. Giles really teaches us a good way to play football. Just all the friendships you make around the area. You meet a lot of good players and people.”
For Hall, it was almost surreal to see the players that made up the league.
“I think it’s cool to see all the different players,” Hall said. “I’m playing against them now. I didn’t realize half of them that played against me back in flag football. It’s a really cool experience to see all these guys again.”
As the league continues, Giles hopes to see the current youth come back and relish in their accomplishments that they gained just like this current group of alumni.
“I’m humbled by everything that’s happened today,” Giles said. “Just having these young men come out and being a part of it. I’m just so happy and blessed. As I told them, I’m like a proud parent watching these kids as they come back after all these years and giving back to the league.”