Share
PrintSpecial Report: Peabody Patriots
In this game of capture the flag, there are no blocks or tackles, but plenty of completed passes, first downs, and big hearts.
Kenia McKeon, the girl’s team captain, says, "I am pumped! I mean we worked so hard and I mean, we deserve it!"
When these Peabody girls signed up for flag football last summer, they never dreamt they would play in the NFL's National Championship Tournament.
Mackenzie Carpenter, a 14-year old wide receiver and running back on the team says, "We just pretty much hoped that we'd make it this far but never actually thought we'd be going to Florida."
But that's where they're headed this weekend- to Disney's Wide World of Sports to compete with 7 other teams. Their ticket to the tourney was punched last month, after they won the 12-14 girls division play-offs at Giants Stadium.
Austin Bradshaw, the Peabody youth flag football coach and league director says, "I knew we'd do well, I didn't think we'd win it, but I knew we'd do well."
These all-star Peabody Patriots have been playing for only two years - in a sport that's exploded in this North Shore town.
Brittney Creamer, a running back for the team says, "I thought that I was just going to be playing soccer or something. I never thought I'd be playing football on a national team."
Coach and league founder, Austin Bradshaw, has seen the league mushroom from 30 kids last year to over 300 this season and says, "I thought it would be big, but I never expected this."
The Peabody Flag Football League is only one of seven in Massachusetts.
And with a win at Disney, get ready for more Patriots punting and passing in Peabody next season. Brittney Creamer says, "Oh, I can't wait, I'm so excited! I can't wait!"
Each tournament game will be shown on cable TV, so the whole country can follow the action.