Desert Oasis’ girls flag football coach, Todd Thomson, as well as girls from DO’s flag football team and Thomson’s flag football club Apex Predators, had the incredible opportunity to compete alongside the Pro Bowl in Orlando.
On February 2nd and 3rd, kids from all over the US and from 12 countries competed in the NFL Flag Football Championships. Each team in the championship had to win a regional championship in order to earn their ticket, and they played under the NFL team from the region in which they won. Thomson’s team was able to compete as the Raiders!
The Apex Predators, a local girls’ flag football club coached by Thomson, were able to travel to Orlando to compete. Among this talented group were many students from DO, who also compete on the schools’ flag football team. Sophomores Akiko and Akemi Higa, as well as sophomore Allie Peralta competed in the championships on the 14U team, and senior Brooklin Hill competed on the 17U team. Other girls from schools in the Las Vegas community competed with the Apex Predators, too, like Kaylie Phillips, a junior at Liberty High School.
While neither the 14U or the 17U team left with a win, they left with immense gratitude for a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“Them getting that opportunity to play some of the best in the country is only going to help them here,” explains Coach Thomson. The players were also able to meet NFL players, play alongside the Pro Bowl, and get their games aired on ESPN. The recognition is welcomed by not only Desert Oasis flag football, but by the girls flag football community here in Las Vegas.
“It’s bringing a lot of attention to Las Vegas flag athletes,” says Hill, “and shining a light on the flag community more.”
Hill had a great experience at the Pro Bowl, and is grateful for the exposure of the hard work her and her teammates have been putting in. “It was a…bonding experience with all of my teammates,” says Hill. “I felt very blessed being in the position I was in.”
You can spot Desert Oasis Flag Football during their upcoming playoff games, and the Apex Predators during their Club Tournaments in March.
Congratulations to Coach Thomson and the girls of the Apex Predators!
