PHX Reporter

Jonathan Gannon and the Cardinals will start training camp next week with the goal of winning a Super Bowl.

For Toby Bourguet and the Tucson Turf flag football squads, their championships begin Friday in Canton, Ohio. The club will have three different age groups representing the Cardinals at the annual NFL Flag Championships.

"We've been fortunate to be on a very, very long streak of qualifying, and we've always been fortunate enough to have multiple teams," Bourguet said. "We're just a really small group of kids, so it's neat. It's really neat to be able to do this for so long."

Teams qualify by winning regional tournaments and receiving an invitation to compete against organizations from across the country. Other teams representing the Cardinals include 480 Elite, playing in the boys' 9u age division, while Rooted Football will have teams in 11u and 13u for boys. Queen Bees Syndicate will play in the 13u girls tournament. Bad Rabbits will play for the Cardinals in the 15u girls division.

Tucson Turf, with most teams participating in the event, will represent the Valley in 13u Boys Rec, 15u boys, and 18u girls. The games will be played on July 19-21 and can be watched on ESPN, ABC, NFL Network, and other platforms.

Tucson Turf has taken part in the NFL Flag Championships since 2012. Their 18u girls team has a chance to win it all. Ranked No. 2 in the nation according to Zorts National Power Index, they have an 86-3 record over seven months and won 13 out of their last 15 tournaments.

Bourguet's daughter Rylen is quarterback and defensive back while Malaysia Roebuck is wide receiver and safety. Rylen was a member of the USA U20 Select Team and earned an invite to the 2025 trials.

Flag football has been integral to Bourguet's family since the '90s when he and his wife competed at high levels including collegiate national championships. With flag football set as an Olympic sport for 2028, its growth is notable.

"What's happening now is more and more girls are getting a taste of flag football," Bourguet said. "It really opens up for a bigger demographic of kids to enjoy football... But it's just a really great sport, and its growth is going to be amazing over these next few years."

The state of Arizona along with Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray have embraced this blossoming sport; Murray attended Arizona's first sanctioned AIA high school girls' flag football game.

Before Murray takes on another season with his team this year; both he along with other fans can watch new talents emerge during these upcoming games held at Canton later this month before regular season begins anew thereafter!

While trophies aren't everything per se either according coaches like Mo Oliver or even Toby himself - who simply aims providing solid platforms performing well without injuries etc.; nevertheless competitions remain vital aspects within programming frameworks ultimately speaking:

"We're very consistent within our program with our approach towards playing," stated Bourguet finally adding further: "We go because it’s about having fun performing best possible levels hopefully winning too! However true success lies ensuring everyone enjoys themselves safely returning home afterwards".

### Breakline ###