- November 26, 2024
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Through 10 games this season, the Flagler Falcons have outscored opponents 371-18.
The old sports adage of defense winning championships is somewhat cliché, but for the Flagler Falcons, a Flagler PAL Junior Pee Wee football team, it is reality.
The Falcons are the No. 1 seed in the East Coast Conference playoffs. They defeated Ormond Beach, 40-0, Saturday, Oct. 22, to earn a spot in the semifinals against Merritt Island.
Shutting opponents out is what the Falcons have done all season. Heading into the semifinal game Tuesday night, the Falcons allowed only one touchdown during the regular season.
Though the young stars allowed 12 points against Merritt Island Tuesday night, they are still on to the ECC championship game.
And though they’ve scored at will this season, coach Korey Kasch knows it’s all about the stingy defense.
“They gel very well and the kids all get along, and they don’t take it too seriously and just love to play football,” Kasch said.
Many of the players have played together since the age of 5.
Though the team comprises players between 8 and 11 years old (the Falcons don’t have any 8-year-olds), Kasch said teams still run schemes on both offense and defense.
“When I tell people what I coach, they say, ‘Oh that’s cute,’” Kasch said. “There are teams out there that just run around a hit each other. But some teams actually are pretty in-depth.”
The Falcons run the I-formation, which consists of a variety of plays in which the quarterback is under center with a running back behind him.
The Falcons put their undefeated record on the line this weekend for a championship. If the Falcons win the conference title, they will advance to regionals, which is four rounds. If they continue to win, they could reach nationals, held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, in Orlando.
HEADED TO THE ’SHIP
The Flagler Falcons defeated Merritt Island, 40-12, in the semifinals Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Flagler Palm Coast High School.
The Falcons will play for the East Coast Conference championship Saturday, Oct. 29, at New Smyrna Beach.