Pittsburgh Jets Aim for Flag Football Glory at National Championship
The Pittsburgh Jets, a youth flag football squad coached by Rashad Colvin, are gearing up for the NFL FLAG national championship in Indianapolis, a tournament that brings together the best under‑10 teams from across the country.
Having captured the New York Jets’ regional championship in Clifton, New Jersey, the team earned a $10,000 prize that covered their travel costs, allowing them to focus on the upcoming competition rather than logistics.
While the national event does not offer a cash payout, Coach Colvin describes the experience as the football equivalent of winning the Super Bowl, emphasizing the prestige and the chance for the youngsters to test themselves against the nation’s top talent.
The journey has been about more than scores; parents Bernadette Stickles and Drew Thomas have turned each trip into a family adventure, from exploring the iconic Rocky steps in Philadelphia to soaking in the sights of Wheeling, West Virginia.
Quarterback Tre Osbey credits his mother, Ryan Glaze, for perfecting his spiral, while wide receiver Harley Burton admits that the supportive coaching and ample playing time make flag football more appealing than tackle, even as teammate Noah McClendon remains a traditional tackle fan.
Running back James Davis III, only nine, says he hopes to keep playing until he ‘dies,’ embodying the youthful enthusiasm that fuels the squad’s ambition to finish first or, at worst, second in their division.