The Journal

Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Max Gersh Freshman Josh Walker rushes the ball avoiding flag grabs during the second week of flag football on the field at Eden Theological Seminary.

While Webster University football fans continue to wait for the day a Gorlok football team might take the field, one intramural sport offers an opportunity for them to get their pigskin fix.

Intramural flag football kicked off Sept. 9 with five teams - The Juggernauts, Los Aztecs, J2, 1-West and University Center Staff - all contending for a spot in the Sept. 30 playoffs. Games are played on Sunday afternoons at the Eden Theological Seminary field.

Flag football is considered an alternative to the gruesome tackling of padded professionals in the NFL. It first began in 1988 when Mike Cihon created the United States Flag Touch Football League, or USTFL. Eventually, flag football formed a league in 1997 called the Professional Flag Football League, where prominent cities like Cleveland and Indianapolis started sponsor teams.

The rules are only slightly different from conventional football, with only two essential rules that differ. Instead of tackling their opponents, players have to detach their opponent's flag, which is connected to a belt on their waist. In addition, there are no field goals after touchdowns. Teams either attempt a running play for one point or a pass play for a two-point conversion.

Webster students don't have the opportunity to play football as a collegiate sport, so having an intramural flag football team has invigorated some of the students.

"I think it's a wonderful thing since there are so many football fans here in this school," said freshman Rodney Gray, a former high school football player. "Other people get a chance to play because high school is a lot more competitive and demanding. Here, it's competitive but fun at the same time."

Gray, who quit football in high school, feels rejuvenated about being able to play the sport once again.

"I've always loved the game," Gray said. "I never wanted to give it up, but its just one of those things where you need to know what your priorities are. But I'm so happy to be playing again. It's an incredible feeling."

On Sept. 16, the University Center Staff and The Juggernauts soared to victory in two high-scoring games of flag football Sunday afternoon at the Eden Seminary Field.

Continued...

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