So many young football players dream of what it would be like to run out of the tunnel in front of screaming fans and play a game in an NFL stadium.
Members of the NEO girls flag football league are going to find out what that’s like on May 2 when the season’s playoffs will be held at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Teams from Lake Catholic, Kirtland, Hawken, Mentor, Euclid, Perry, Berkshire, Cleveland Heights and Strongsville will all play under the lights at the home of the Cleveland Browns starting at 7 p.m. and running through the league’s championship game. The highlight night caps Year 2 of the NEO girls flag football season — and the players and coaches cannot be more excited for the opportunity afforded to them by the Browns.
“It’s going to be a cool experience,” said Ericka Zchuppe, a member of Kirtland’s team. “None of us have ever done this before, play in an NFL stadium. It’s going to be surreal. I don’t know if we’re more excited about playing or playing in the Browns’ stadium. That’s pretty cool.”
Mackenzie Brugh of Lake Catholic is bubbling with excitement, too. As a member of a Cougars team that is the lone undefeated team in the league, playing for what she and her teammates hope is a championship run is an adrenaline rush in itself. But getting to do so in the stadium of the team she and her family watch on Sundays makes it even better.
“Every Sunday since I was a little kid, I’ve watched Browns games with my family wearing Browns gear,” Brugh said. “I’ve been to the stadium before, but it’s going to be way different playing on it. It’s going to be a great experience.”
Action starts with first-round matchups between Strongsville and Cleveland Heights, Hawken and Mentor, Kirtland and Euclid and Perry and Berkshire. Lake Catholic has a first-round bye.
In its second year of existence, the NEO girls flag football has nearly doubled in size, has sponsorship from the Browns and is wearing Nike jerseys purchased by the Browns.
Playing at First Energy Stadium is an icing on the cake the Browns wanted to ensure happened.
“We want to continue to grow the game and give girls the opportunity to play football,” said Hannah Lee, youth football coordinator for the Browns’ organization. “Having everyone in the stadium brings things full circle, giving the players the opportunity to play under the lights. The Browns wanted to be involved in this.”
Admission is free for fans. Gates open at 6 p.m., with games starting an hour later. The stadium lights will be on, as will the scoreboard. The players will run out of the tunnel with the Browns’ inflatable helmets on each side — just like the Browns run out on Sunday afternoons.
“I was up there a few years back when Chuck Kyle helped implement rookie tackle football for kids, and we went down to the field and did some drills,” said Dan Brugh, Lake Catholic’s girls flag coach. “To look up and see what it’s like down on the field is so cool. For the girls to run around and catch passes where the Browns do is even better.”
Bob Berwald, president of NEO Flag Football, said the end-of-season tournament is a culmination of an exciting year for the organization. Seeing the league grow in teams and have a sponsorship and partnership with the Browns has enhanced the league. The Browns footed the bill for officials, field rentals, uniforms and more.
Now they’re letting the girls play their end-of-season tournament on their field under the lights.
“It’s great for the sport,” Berwald said. “Being able to show it and put it on display at Browns Stadium is exciting. We’re very fortunate to have the Browns involved with it.”
The timing for the tournament in early May will allow the players — many of whom play spring sports at their schools such as track, softball and lacrosse — to finish their flag football season and then get up for their school’s spring sports postseason run.
A year ago, the playoff night was held at Mentor’s Jerome T. Osborne Stadium. Lake Catholic ran through the regular season undefeated, but lost to Kirtland in the championship game.
The Cougars are again the top seed this year, having handed Kirtland its only loss of the season, 13-12, in the opening week of games.
“We finished second last year, lost to Kirtland in the championship,” Mackenzie Brugh sad. “We’re looking forward to this Monday.”
Travis Burnett
A pioneer in the flag football community, Travis helped co-found the Flag Football World Championship Tour, FlagSpin and USA Flag. Featuring 15+ years of content creation for the sport of flag football, creating and managing the largest flag football tournaments on the planet, coaching experience at the youth and adult level as well as an active player with National and World Championship level experience.
