Flag football: Raymond Comets fly away with title

Heather Cameron
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Raymond’s flag football team — the Comets — recently won a CFL/NFL flag football tournament held at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

“The kids had a fantastic time,” Derek Baldry, one of the coaches of the Comets flag football team said, of the Oct. 25 weekend.

“It was a well-run tournament and the teams were all very good sports. It was a great mix of competition and sportsmanship.”

Coached by Baldry, Dustin Ralph, Alan Gibb and Tyrone Purcell — the Comets flag football team is made up of boys (who play on a peewee football team and two girls who are from the Raymond Flag Football League). Most of the kids, Baldry said, have played for three to four years.

“I feel like our town has done a great job in running the program,” Baldry said.

“They have leagues for Grades K-2 and 3-6 and the teams are co-ed. The games for these young kids are played on the high school field under the lights. Many of the high school players are hired by the town to ref these games.”

Flag football, Baldry added, has different rules than normal football including allowed physical contact, handling of the ball, dealing with the defense, and when the ball is in play. 

“Flag football provides these kids a great way to be introduced to the game of football,” Baldry said.

“It also provides a connection between them and the junior high and high school programs. There were over 180 kids between the two age categories this year. I feel flag football has also helped to increase our participation numbers in our contact football leagues.”

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