As the NFL kicks off its season and the CFL jockeys for playoff positions, football has reached a fever pitch across North America, and now local football fans and players can enjoy their own rendition of the game as the West Kootenay Flag Football League huddled up and began its season this past Sunday at Mt. Sentinel Secondary School field.
The WKFFL boasts four teams from the West Kootenay including the Inmates from South Slocan, the Rossland Brewers, the Nelson Hour Glass, and the Castlegar/Trail Vikings.
In the opening match of the season, the Inmates doubled up the Vikings 40-20 with Kelly Viykin throwing four touchdown passes for the Inmates, and Vic Hoodicoff tossing two TDs. Michael Lucas scored twice while Kyle Niminiken, Mike Ball, Ryan Boisvert, and John Parker put up six points each for the Slocan. Stephen Mota threw all three Viking TDs with Jay Trower, Kyle Jorgenson, and Carl Perepolkin on the receiving end.
Flag Football is a fun and competitive non-contact sport, that is both mentally and physically challenging. The rules are similar to the NFL with four downs to go 20-yards, on and 80-yard field. Players wear velcro flags attached to a belt, with tackles signaled by a flag stripped from the ball-carrying player’s belt.
On Sunday the Vikings play the Nelson Hour Glass at 11 a.m. while Rossland Brewers take on the Inmates at 1 p.m. Games go every Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Mt. Sentinel. WKFFL teams are still looking for players, those interested can contact Mota at stephen.mota@gmail.com.