G Series / Arizona Regional Tournament

G Series / Arizona. History was made last weekend when more than 100 youth flag football and 7v7 football teams competed in the first-ever combined tournament, marking the start of the 2024 Gridiron Tournament Series.

Over the course of two days, more than 1,000 kids descended on Mesquite High School in Gilbert, Arizona for a chance to claim the first G SERIES regional title and a half bid invite to the Gridiron National Championship at the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters in June. By the #s:

• 356 games played over 19 hours on 14 flag football fields
• 3,240 total attendees
• 104 teams comprised of 1,040 athletes (from 6-17) and 312 coaches
• 400 hot dogs, 200 pizza slices and 1,272 ounces of cheese for nachos were consumed
• 15 flag and 7v7 division champions, 4 of whom were girls-only
• 39 miles walked by each Gridiron staff person to make sure it was the best tournament ever

Oh, and did we mention we had special guest appearances from current Arizona Cardinals’ Tight End starter, Trey McBride, and US Women’s National Flag Football Quarterback and Captain, Vanita Krouch?! 🤯

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G SERIES / SATURDAY [ AZ EDITION ]

The day before, Gridiron team members worked well into the night - their work illuminated by the light of their iPhones - setting up flags, tents, cones, pylons, signs, tables, concessions and partner booths. In true Gridiron fashion, everything had to be perfect.

Teams began arriving before 8am on Saturday, ready to kick-off their first day of competition. Over the next 8 hours, 240 games were played across 14 flag football and 7v7 football fields. Parents, siblings and friends lined the sidelines and bleachers, team tents set up to shield players from the still-warm Phoenix sun. And a bustling vendor village filled with premier sports brands, concessions, and made-to-print tournament apparel made sure players and fans alike were kitted out with the best gear and food.

One lucky Gridiron team got to have 1:1 interviews with Cardinals’ starter, Trey McBride, while other Gridiron players participated in a (girls only) training camp with Trey and renowned flag football quarterback, Vanita Krouch.

G SERIES / SUNDAY [ ARIZONA EDITION ]

The coldest day in recent Arizona history. And to make it more interesting, a steady rain from mid morning to early afternoon. But that didn’t stop these kids from bringing their own “heat” to the Gridiron. Over the course of eight hours, rain OR shine, 96 bracket and championship games were played.

But a champion must be crowned. Or in this case, 15. And they were. In the Champions Circle, winning teams enjoyed individual award ceremonies against the backdrop of the Gridiron “G”. In addition to the elusive regional title, each team took home a 24” team trophy, custom hats, official Gridiron rings, and a paid half-bid to the Gridiron National Championship in June.

But whether a team won or lost, each walked away with their heads held high. They worked together as a team, faced fierce competition and the weather, and left everything on the field. Check out the video highlights here:

G7: Arizona

Next stop? The G SERIES continues February 17th - 18th @ McLane Stadium, home of the Baylor Bears, in Waco, Texas. And we're mixing it up! We're hosting sequential one-day-only tournaments here: G5 Flag Football on Saturday / G7 7v7 Football on Sunday. We have very limited capacity, so get your team registration in today!

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Wall of Champions

6U - Gorillaz Gold

Cassius Luckey, Cayson Payton-Walsh, Davaren Hightower, Easton Reynolds, Jamison Aroz, Joseph Tahiry, Knoxx Loring, Mason Thomas, Maximus Scully, Skye Rankin / Coaches: Miles Rankin, Davaren Hightower, Kadeem Reynolds

7U - Five Stars

Asher M, Ethan F, Grayson Rozell, Jackson Fraley, Niko Chattic, Noah Gaines / Coaches: Justin Fritz, Randy Chattic

8U - AZ Legends

Carter Clendenin, Cassin T, Easton Graham, Jackson Fraley, Jayden Laperuta, Jordan LaPeruta, Maddox Harlow, Marcus Zosky, Mason F, Tyson Snyders / Coaches: Darren Toohey, Dustin Snyders, Mike Clendenin

8U - AZ Outlaws

Alfonso Jimenez Rocha, Ayden Herrera, Charlie Bracamonte, Ezekiel Perez, Jackson Oakes, Jesus Fuentes, Kayden Lauridsen, Nathaniel Espinoza / Coaches: Brittney Montaño, Victor Herrera

10U - CK Vikings

Aaron W, Bryce Robinson, Camden Ruiz, Gabriel Fuller, Jayden Ruiz, Orion Nelson, Tommy S, Wesley Pope / Coaches: Nick Fuller, Ezra Williams

11U - The Unit

Alexander Baab, Baljit Deol III, Jace Bronner, Jonathan Miller, Jordan Sterkowitz-Walker, Kaleb E, Kasyn Mull, Maddox Hendershott, Teigan Mull, Zayne Honerman / Coaches: Zayne Thompson, Steffon Martin SR

12U - Legends of Arizona

Aidan Morales, Beckett C, Drea Jacobo, Ethan Adair, Gabe Zappia, Hayden Kautz, Jaydon-Tora Tyler, Quillar Nealy, Ryker Hall, Zaiden Amodo / Coaches: Chico Zappia, Rene Elizondo Jr.

14U - Venom

Aidyn Prinz, Aryn Prinz, Cainen Hall, Channing Wooden, Cole Whitehorse, Lisa Harvey, Michael Ochoa, Nico Cayetano, Thomas Reese, Tristan Willis

10U Girls - Queen Cobras

Aurelia F, Charis Morris, Graysen Pittiglio, Jazara Bellamy, Josie H, Kailey Mendonca, Kelsey Stocking, Paige Bautista, Renee Duong, Sasha Powell / Coaches: Andres Ferriz, Jackson Bautista, Nicholas Bautista

12U Girls - Apex Predators

Aryana Fernandez, Calie Greene, Chelsea DeWitt, Elyce Phillinganes, Kendall Bridges, Layla Abouzeid, Priscilla Roby, Siaosina Leau, Zoey Rendon / Coaches: Rudy Fernandez, Ardrick Phillinganes, David Rendon

17U Girls - Tucson Turf

Adrian Griffin, Amara May, Avyanna Buchanan, Ella Joplin, Malaysia Roebuck, Nami Singer, Roxi Singer, Ryann Brooks, Rylen Bourguet, Sadie Brown, Sophia Figueroa, Thais Monson

10U 7v7 - Tucson Turf

Braxten Romanoski, Dominic Hainley, Dominik Bonilla Jr, Dylan Gregory, Joshua Salazar, Kaden Roberts, Luke Callies, Mason Vasquez, Rigdzin Hurtado, Sanders Delperdang, Theodore H / Coaches: Barrie Dean Pedersen, Marcos Salazar, Kenneth Roberts

12U 7v7 - The Unit

Alexander Baab, Baljit Deol III, Jace Bronner, Jonathan Miller, Jordan Sterkowitz-Walker, Kaleb E, Kasyn Mull, Maddox Hendershott, Teigan Mull, Zayne Honerman / Coaches: Zayne Thompson, Steffon Martin SR

14U 7v7 - Valley 7s

Alex Doonan, Amos Augustine, byron brandon, Cayden Schlueter, Devin Rolle, Hajj Brown, Jake Nevins, Jaylen Taylor, Jayveon Davidson, Jhaheem Brown, Jhay’Mai Norwood, Makai Nelson, Nick Gonzales, Nick G, Preston Slimmer, Tallen Dannenfeldt / Coaches: DJ Frazier, Kenneth McMurphy

Varsity 7v7 - Valley’s Finest

Aftyn Cantrell, Elijah Beamon, King Robinson, Landon Patch, Mason Lewis, Nate McConnell, Nathan Sanchez, Paul Palmer, Porter Delnoce, Quintin Miles, Robert Nesbit, Treyvon McGruder, Tristen Miller, Troy Coleman, Xavier Wade, Zach Thompson / Coaches: Brock Heffron, Brooklyn Balgooyen, Bryson Lanza, Jeremy Beamon