The final buzzer sounded, the celebration began, and, no matter the scale, another championship was brought to Titletown, USA.
On January 4, 2016, the Valdosta State University Nikes defeated the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley Hoosier Daddy by a score of 26-12 to claim their second National Intramural Recreational Sports Association Men’s Flag Football Championship in as many years. The win culminated an impressive streak started last season by the Nikes, led by 2015-16 title game MVP D’Angelo “D-Lo” Smith.
“I always tried to lead the team by exemplifying a positive attitude, on and off the field,” Smith said. “I was the main quarterback, but I also wanted to be each one of my teammates’ main supporter and always ensure that, at the end of the game, everything will always work out.”
In 2015, the Nikes took home their first title after a 32-21 victory over the Angelo State Wolfpac (San Angelo, Texas). Last year’s team was dominant in its own right, but the most recent championship team was able to show that experience and unity can power a team through anything.
While the team’s most recent accomplishment adds to an extensive list of championship-caliber groups (VSU has claimed numerous awards through the flag football program since 2011-12), the Nikes came onto the national stage as a virtual unknown last year.
“(This season) after our pool play games, there was a drawing for teams to select their bracket spots,” Smith said. “We noticed the respect other teams had for us; they were all trying to select spots as far away from us a possible. It was a humbling experience and made us feel really good about our progress throughout the last few years, when teams had no idea who we were.”
After an unforgettable title run, the team was finally able to bask in the glory. The team was headlined by four All-American Award recipients, but according to Smith, the whole team played a big role in the win, as well as the rest of the season.
“I most definitely have to credit our entire defense,” Smith said. “Romaz Jones reached the quarterback pretty quickly, causing him to rush passes. Due to our tight coverage skills by players like Tedrian “Tripp” Thompson, Justin “JB” Brown, and Eric Johnson, we were able to earn a lot of turnovers.”
Defense certainly played a major part in the Nikes’ championship run. Prior to holding the final opponent to only 12 points, the team Southern Mississippi, Tarleton State, and Michigan State to seven, 12, and 14 points respectively. To add to the domination, VSU’s offense torched opposing defenses with totals of 35, 20, and 47 in each round before their matchup against UT-Rio Grande Valley.
“Other than myself, Lance Jarriel and Wes Carter had tremendous impacts on our offensive success,” Smith said. “A major difference this year was our experience,” Smith said. “We learned how to take what our opponents gave us and how to always play our game at all times.”
Many of the players from the Nikes will be moving on after this season. Given the fact that the team, if continued, would have a new look in the future, this accomplishment leaves the entire roster with a feeling of success and an unforgettable triumph.
“This year’s team was special because this was the last opportunity for a few of our guys to play together,” Smith said. “A few key players will be earning their degrees and pursuing careers following the season. We wanted to ensure that we finished our career with a bang and ‘went out on top’, so to speak.”
Sidebar: Also competing in their respective championship game was P-Rex, Valdosta State’s co-rec flag football team, who was in pursuit of a second consecutive title after claiming one in 2015. Unfortunately, the team fell short, losing in the final contest to Angelo State University.
Sidebar 2: For their outstanding efforts, five of Valdosta State’s student-athletes received All-America recognition at the conclusion of the NIRSA Flag Football Championships. Lance Jarriel, Eric Johnson, Romaz Jones, D’Angelo Smith, and Rachel Swilley were among 22 student-athletes that earned top honors.
Southern Miss 35-7
Tarleton State 20-12
Michigan State 47-14
In the Game / April 2016
Flag Football Champions
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, Georgia
Just Did It: Valdosta State’s Flag Football Team Repeats as National Champions
By James A. Washington
