U.S. MEN'S AND WOMEN'S FLAG NATIONAL TEAMS EARN GOLD MEDALS AT THE 2021 IFAF FLAG WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN JERUSALEM

The U.S. Men’s and Women’s Flag Football National Teams each won Gold Medal Games today, winning the 2021 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Flag World Championships at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, Israel. The U.S. teams defeated Mexico’s men’s and women’s national teams, 44-41 and 31-21, respectively, as the Americans successfully defended their 2018 IFAF Flag world titles.

An IFAF event record-number of 39 Men’s and Women’s flag national teams (combined) spanning 22 countries competed for gold medals in Jerusalem. IFAF, established in 1998, consists of 73 member nations on five continents which possess a national federation of sport dedicated solely to American Football. The number of countries within the IFAF family has nearly doubled in the past 15 years.

IFAF World Flag World Championship scores, rosters, and archived game telecasts reside at www.flagworld21.com. Photos from the tournament, courtesy of USA Football, may be downloaded here.

U.S. Women’s scores – Wed., Dec. 8:

IFAF World Championship Semifinal:                     U.S.A. 33, Austria 6

IFAF World Championship Gold Medal Game:      U.S.A. 31, Mexico 21

U.S. Men’s scores – Wed., Dec. 8:

IFAF World Championship Semifinal:                     U.S.A. 35, Panama 6

IFAF World Championship Gold Medal Game:      U.S.A. 44, Mexico 41

 

In the Women’s Gold Medal Game, Mexico forged a 21-19 halftime lead. Second-half adjustments by the U.S. defense forced Mexico to turn the ball over on downs on all four of its remaining possessions while the Americans posted two TDs for a 31-21 lead and victory.

With less than two minutes left in game and the U.S. ahead 25-21, on 3rd and 17 from the Americans’ 8-yard line, U.S. quarterback VANITA KROUCH (Carrollton, Texas) connected with a diving JOANN OVERSTREET (Lewisville, Texas) down the middle of the field for a 25-yard completion and a fresh set of downs on the Mexico 12. Two plays later, Krouch found receiver SHENEIKA ADGER COMICE (Tampa, Fla.) on a roll out to the right, hitting Comice for a TD to extend the U.S. lead to 31-21, which would stand as the final score. Krouch led the way for the U.S., throwing five touchdown passes in the game while Comice hauled in nine receptions, three for touchdowns.

“I’m extremely proud of our women coming together,” said U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Chris Lankford. “They were dedicated to the mission at hand, and they succeeded.”  

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In the Men’s final, Mexico also earned a halftime lead, 28-23. With 10 minutes remaining and the U.S. trailing 41-30, American QB ERIC HOLLIDAY (Lantana, Texas) fired a 4-yard TD pass to DARRELL DOUCETTE III (New. Orleans, La.). The U.S. would convert on its extra point, cutting Mexico’s lead to 41-37.

With just under six minutes left in the game, Mexico lined up for a 4th and 17 on its own 8-yard line. A Mexico pass launched down the middle of the field was intercepted by U.S. defensive back FRANKIE SOLOMON, JR. (Dallas, Texas), giving the Americans a chance to take the lead late while still trailing 41-37.

Holliday moved the U.S. down the field, burning time and inching closer to the endzone. On 3rd and goal from the Mexico 5-yard line with 1:02 left, Holliday found receiver MICHAEL DUNN (Nashville, Tenn.) on a roll out to the left to give the U.S. its first lead of the second half. The U.S. was successful on its point-after try to gain a 44-41 lead, which stood as the final score after Mexico could not drive the ball deeper than the U.S. 24-yard line before time expired.

“Mexico played extremely well, buY through the entire process our team made a statement,” said U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach BRYAN GARCIA of Granbury, Texas. “They represented their country, the program, themselves, and their families well and I’m proud of them.”

Holliday threw six TD passes for the U.S. men. American receiver BRUCE MAPP, JR. (Carrollton, Texas) was Holliday’s favorite target with 16 receptions and a touchdown.

2021 U.S. Women’s Flag National Team roster:

Jersey #; Name; Position; Hometown

1; Joann Overstreet*; WR/DB; Lewisville, Texas

2; Mariah Gearhart*; WR; Orlando, Fla.

3; Keisa Lankford*; C/WR; Dallas, Texas

4; Vanita Krouch*; QB; Carrollton, Texas

6; Sheneika Adger Comice*; WR/DB; Tampa, Fla.

7; Crystal Winter; WR/DB; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

8; Nadia Bibbs; WR/DB; Chicago, Ill.

10; Deliah Autry; WR; Tampa, Fla.

12; Ashley Whisonant*; WR/DB; Woodbridge, Va.

14; Mary Kate Bula; WR/DB; Charlotte, N.C.

16; Michelle Roque*; QB/WR; Tallahassee, Fla.

17; Kassandra Bills; WR/DB; San Antonio, Texas

  *2018 U.S. Women’s Flag National Team member

Head Coach: Chris Lankford‡; Dallas, Texas

 

2021 U.S. Men’s Flag National Team roster:

Jersey #; Name; Position; Hometown

1; Bruce Mapp; WR; Carrollton, Texas

3; Jordan Oquendo; WR/DB; Spring Hill, Fla.

7; Darrell Doucette III; Athlete; New Orleans, La.

8; Terrance Bunting; WR; Orlando, Fla.

9; Anthony Pomo; C/WR; Midland Park, N.J.

10; Brandel Webb; DB/WR; Dallas, Texas

11; Michael Dunn; WR; Nashville, Tenn.

12; Eric Holliday‡; QB; Lantana, Texas

13; Kevin Mujica; WR; Miami, Fla.

15; Frankie Solomon, Jr.‡; DB; Dallas, Texas

17; Terrance Fox‡; WR; Bound Brook, N.J.

20; Bryan Meek‡; WR; Garland, Texas

22; David Price; DB; Callahan, Fla.

‡2018 U.S. Men’s Flag National Team member

Head Coach: Bryan Garcia; Granbury, Texas

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