FITCHBURG — The city based Central Mass Gators 6U and 7U flag football clubs traveled to the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, to compete in the fourth annual Youth Flag Football World Championships from Feb. 18-22 and boy did they represent Massachusetts in a major way.
The Fitchburg based Central Mass Gators huddle up during the 4th Annual Youth Flag Football World Championships held earlier this month at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Orlando. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
The 7U squad led by Lucas Queen and Ryder Loftin struggled out the gate but were able to exhibit superb leadership throughout the tournament, helping the squad play sound Gator football.
The 6U on the other hand were dominant from the moment they arrived at Disney. The boys faced teams from Florida, Mexico, Kansas, Vegas, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Kentucky, and they did not bat an eye.
The 6U started the tournament 3-1, earning the highest seed in the division 1 bracket of any Massachusetts team in their age group. The team was led by standout receiver Ezel Figueroa, and the defense was anchored by speed demon Chase Burdett. The 6U team only gave up 32 points the entire tournament and lost an absolute nail-biter to the number one team in the nation, 32Sports,12-6, in front of a huge crowd in Florida.
Some of the Fitchburg based Central Mass Gators athletes with their coaches at the 4th Annual Youth Flag Football World Championships held at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Orlando this month. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
“All in all as a coach I couldn’t be more proud of these young men and these families,” said Central Mass Gators head coach Brandon Hamilton. “We made strides this year and put a lot of people on notice as a program. We showed the world exactly why we are ranked one of the top 25 teams in the country.”
Up next for the Central Mass Gators is an awards ceremony today, on Sunday, March 1, at Game On in Fitchburg.
There also will be round two of tryouts at Game On on Saturday, March 7, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
The boys will play in the Worcester Invitational tournament on March 15 at College of the Holy Cross, Spring Fling at Harvard Stadium in Cambridge on March 29, an AAU Jr. Olympics Qualifier, and the 7U team has qualified for the 2026 AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa in July 31.
For more information follow Central Mass Flag Football on Facebook.