PIT Football had an exciting return to indoor touch and flag football. In total, 116 teams competed for 22 championship titles in one of the largest fall seasons on record!
This was the season of redemption as nearly every division had their champion avenge their regular season loss to their opponents. And for the first time in years, the top seeds won more championships than they lost.
Will we see this trend continue or will the “curse” come back to take down the top seeds once again in Winter season?
The championship games were very tightly contested with many coming down to the final plays. Check out some of the top plays from championship weekend here.
Flag Football Division
O’James Simpson 28 Darryl 14
Flag football is North America’s fastest growing sport and has recently been selected for the Olympics in 2028. There is a good chance you will see a PIT player or two representing Team Canada. With two Manitoba teams winning national flag football championships in recent years, the province has become a hotbed for all-star caliber players to develop.
This championship final showcased some of the best players currently in the game and would decide Manitoba’s top flag team. O’James Simpson ultimately hoisted the championship belt, due in large part to Olympic hopeful, and team namesake, James Teschuk. James hauled in two interceptions, one touchdown and threw for another in this contest.
A great game between these two combatants who split their season series, with the Simpsons taking the all-important championship tiebreaker!
Co-ed Division 1
Coed Guardians 39 Trailer Park Boyz/Galz 26
Led by team captain Dillon Clarke, who hit every statistical category during the game, (one sack, one interception, three TD passes, one touchdown, and one convert) the Coed Guardians not only avenged their regular season loss but a string of championship finals defeats to the trailer park dwellers.
The Trailer Park Boyz/Galz are one of the most decorated coed teams in Manitoba history, and seemed to always come out on the winning side when these two teams play in the finals. However, it was not to be on this day. A furious comeback by the trailer park inhabitants at the end couldn’t make up for going down nearly 30 points to start the game.
It is always a lot of fun to watch these to teams play as both teams are stacked with provincial players from both the men’s and women’s teams.
Co-ed Division 2
Looking to Score 40 Throwing Ducks 32
Division 2 was a barnburner as Looking to Score added another division two title to their resumé, besting the previously undefeated Ducks team in the final.
Looking to Score has a lot of familiar faces from the women’s provincial team from a decade ago, and those women still carry the team all these years later! Led by the 12 points from former league MVP Courtney Dyck and the 15 points from Corrie Krahn, Looking to Score didn’t have to do much looking to score.
Throwing Ducks were led by former U18 National Champion Jordyn Campbell, who led all scorers in the division. A classic battle of the vets versus the up and comers, with the vets using their playoff savvy to help hoist the championship trophy.
Co-ed Division 3
Kinda Athletic 43 Sylvester Dillone 32
Teams don’t have to play provincial level football to have a fantastic game!
In one of the highest scoring games on championship weekend Kinda Athletic went full John Rambo on Sylvester Dillone. KC Mason led the KA’s with 18 points, while another former league MVP, Lauren Garbutt, put up 18 points despite playing with a broken finger suffered early in the game.
Kinda Athletic won their first ever PIT Football championship. Being such a young team, Kinda Athletic could add a few more titles, eventually putting up some coed dynasty numbers by the time they are finished with their touch football careers!
Division 1
Municipality of Peg 32 Seafood City 26
The last time these two teams played in a final, Seafood City edged out a one-point victory over Peg City and relegated them to a small Municipality.
With the win, the Municipality of Peg regained control over Winnipeg and now boast having the top team. Led by B.C. Lions coach and game MVP Trysten Dyce’s five touchdown passes, Peg was able to end Seafood City’s run of three consecutive titles. Seafood City almost swam away with victory, however their final swim towards the end zone was abruptly ended on a fifth interception by the Peg’s stout defence.
With the defeat, will Seafood City now be demoted to Seafood Borough? Or Seafood Burgh? Or worse, Seafood Township? Regardless, as always in Division 1, there will be plenty of off-season gerrymandering to shore up Winter rosters!
Division 2
MonStars 28 MennoKnights 27
The MonStars win their second straight Division 2 championship and second straight on the final play of the game!
The MonStars had quite the season, defeating the eventual Division 1 champions during the regular season and taking home the Division 2 title. In the final, former St. Vital Mustangs standout Matt Nikkel threw for five touchdown passes, including his final with the clock running out to former Manitoba Bison star Riley Harrison. Rather than go for the tie to force overtime, the MonStars went for two (the correct decision!).
Former Bomber draft pick Alex Vitt reported eligible for the convert, and unlike the NFL, our officials correctly understood the assignment. Matt Nikkel ended the MennoKnights championship hopes by hitting Vitt for the two-pointer and victory!
Division 3
Guild of Calamitous 27 Intent Sock Puppets 25
The Guild of Calamitous Intent had taken a couple years hiatus due to their quarterback being constructed of breakaway glass.
After MacGyvering their quarterback out of the spare parts of other over-the-hill ball throwers, the Guild were able to add another trophy to their impressive team history of championships. Does that mean this team is good, or just old? Considering this team got their start in the now defunct Winnipeg Touch Football League (WTFL) the answer is a little of A, and a lot of B.
The Guild will need to graft a new shoulder (and ideally a new leg and healthy liver) onto their quarterback for the Division 2 test that awaits them in the Winter season.
Division 4
Guardians 39 Awesome Luck 28
Just like their coed compatriots, the Guardians had never won an indoor championship, despite always being in the playoff hunt.
Snake bitten in championship games; the Guardians finally made it over the hump with the addition of game MVP Ceejay Powell. Ceejay went off for 14 points and two touchdown passes to cap off the Guardians undefeated season.
Awesome Luck almost knocked off the champs during the regular season, losing by one-point. The Guardians left no doubt in the final however, building a big lead early and cruising to the championship. What a night for this team to finally get the monkey(s) off their back!
Division 5
KanKrazies 45 Quick Six 32
This was the best division in football which saw the top through bottom teams separated by only four points.
Each team’s schedule featured a murderous row of opponents, resulting in three teams tied for first place when the regular season dust was settled. What made the KanKrazies stand out? Averaging a remarkable 48 points per game during the playoffs.
The KanKrazies avenged both of their losses, and wouldn’t let the Quick Six even the score, during their playoff run which started with a win-and-in, lose-your-out regular season finale. A shout out to Brandon Poulin who will be leaving the KanKrazies to play professional football with the Goldbats in Madrid Spain. Brandon got the pro call after scoring four touchdowns and leading the KanKrazies to the ‘ship.
Division 6
Avengers 25 Red Light Green Light 8
It seems that whenever these two teams are in the same division, they will ultimately face off in the championship.
Unfortunately, for Red Light, the Avengers seem to hold possession of the Infinity Gauntlet.
Zach Regert did his best Iron Man impression gathering 18 points, three interceptions, and two infinity stones. Brady Pauls tried to play the role of Thanos for Red Light with his sack and touchdown reception. However, the team’s offence was more red light than green light, and their defence was more green light than red light.
In the end, the united powers of the Avengers were simply too much on this day. Luckily, the heroes prevailed, and half our football population was re-snapped back into existence for our Winter season.
Division 7
Goofy Goobers 39 Turf Dawgs 6
Two seasons of football, two championships for the Goofy Goobers!
While it is unsustainable to win every season, this team has had about as hot a start to a career as you can ask. The Goobers were led to the championship by Ethan Dryland who had four touchdown passes, an interception, and 14 points. In the process, the Goofy ones not only raised the trophy, but also avenged their only defeat during the regular season.
The Turf Dawg defence had three interceptions to help their cause, however they just couldn’t punch in the ball after a quick lead to start the game.
Division 8
Chimpens 27 Gotham Knights Legends 26
Another new young team moving up the ranks in PIT Football. Advancing from the Football Manitoba U18 flag league to the PIT league meant that these players had many years of play under their belt despite their relatively young age.
The Chimpens avenged their 54-41 loss to the Legends in what was one of the highest scoring regular season games of the year. Defence played a much bigger role in this game once both teams had a chance to view some game tape and adjust.
No matter what the tape said, the Legends defence, who had played lights out throughout the game, could not stop the Chimpens on their final drive. Ryan Hassar masterfully worked the field and the clock, throwing a touchdown on the final play of the game. Going for the win rather than the tie, the Chimpens also hit the convert to win their first championship in stunning walk off fashion!
Division 9
Ricky Bobby 18 Necessary Roughness 12
Ricky Bobby ran the gambit, knocking off both the undefeated top seed in the semi-finals, then the one-loss Necessary Roughness team in the finals.
This veteran laden team was able to overcome their regular season difficulties to prove the adage of any given Sunday. Ricky Bobby was led by the 12 points of Fergus Branton, and the two touchdown passes and running scamper by Frank Fiorentino. Ricky Bobby also had to overcome the early lead by Necessary Roughness when Neil Einarson hit team leading scorer Josh Hazelhurst for six. But in true Ricky Bobby fashion, the team came back roaring back, bolstered by their team motto “If you ain’t first, you’re last.”
Division 10
The Sisters 27 Young Offenders 21
Both teams were looking for their first PIT championship and both teams had a lot of graduates from the Dakota football program.
In this game, the Dakota vets were able to outlast the Lancer rookies in a back-and-forth affair. The Young Offenders were led by provincial flag team standout Lachlin Reid, who threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers.
The Sisters quarterback, Connor Egan, also threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers, however he also added a running score which ultimately was the difference in this game.
Score one for the Dakota vets, but we are pretty sure the Young Offenders will be out for revenge in the Winter!
Division 11
Past Our Bedtimes 19 Moneyball 6
Past Our Bedtimes proved that time of day doesn’t matter if your defence is ready to set some playoff records!
After putting up a shut out in the semi-finals, the Bedtime defence put Moneyball to bed, ceding only a single touchdown. Frank Fiorentino hit former league MVP Brayden Sul early in the game which many viewers felt was the beginning of the end for the Moneyball championship drought.
After that score however, the Bedtime defence was lights out, and the offence went to work. Carter Scott threw two touchdowns and ran in another to put this game to bed. It is not surprising that the game MVP came from the defensive side of the ball as Brendan Currie tucked his receivers in for the night, ending the game with two interceptions and championship glory for these first-time winners.
Division 12
Saggy Balls 25 Bleue Bombers 19
Is Connor “Kordell” Stewart the preeminent running quarterback in Manitoba? Many may say so, especially after being the second-leading scorer on his team during the regular season and fifth leading scorer in the division!
With that said, Connor would have to face Kene Nnadi, the fearsome rusher from the Bleue Bombers who led the division in sacks with 12. The classic tale of the immovable object facing off against the impenetrable force! However, when constrained to the pocket, Connor proved he can ball with the best of them, throwing for four touchdowns in the victory. In doing so, Connor earned his second championship with the Saggy Balls, two more than Kordell ever had!
Division 13
Venum 39 Razorbacks 2.0 14
Venum lost their starting quarterback to an off-field phalanx injury right before playoffs. No problem for this veteran team as their third-string quarterback Marco Frias led them to victory in the semi-finals, while their second-string quarterback Jordan Loewen was able to take the reigns for the title run. Not many teams can roll out three different quarterbacks in three different weeks and keep rolling like Venum was able to during the postseason.
The Razorbacks failed in their bid to win their second straight championship after their record 17-year championship drought that was finally ended during the summer season. It looks like the Razorbacks have found their mojo, and we expect another championship from these vets prior to 2041!
Division 14
Young, Wild and Free 25 Stone Cold Killas 23
This was an unusually testy final from two teams that are typically known for their fair play. Perhaps the testiness came from trying to figure out who was the fairest of them all?!?
In the end, the wild ones won an exceptionally well played back-and-forth game, taking home the championship just months after a rough summer season. Quite the turnaround for the Young ones who went worst to first!
Led by Rifles quarterback Thomas Hubbard who had three passes to former St. Paul’s Crusaders standout Isaiah Hurst, the offence of the Wild ones put a lot of pressure on the Killas. The Cold ones were led by the two touchdowns of Brayden Jackson.
The league will need a bigger mirror for the Winter season to conclude which team is in fact the fairest of them all.
Division 15
431 Shootaz 12 Dingos 7
If you are a fan of defence, this was the game for you!
The Dingos probably out gained the Shootaz by 300 yards, and the time of possession battle was also heavily in the Dingos favour. However, the dogs from down under had difficulties punching the ball over the goal line.
Once the Dingos entered the red zone, the Shootaz defence refused to bend. Shootaz’s quarterback and safety Harrison Grey had three interceptions, two of which were in the end zone, ending promising Dingo drives.
On the flip side, the Shootaz themselves were also not able to mount much offensively and were on the wrong side of a 7-6 score until late in the fourth quarter. With little time left on the clock, Bret Early hauled in an improbable touchdown pass to pull the Shootaz ahead and add a second trophy to their championship history.
Division 16
Bomber Boyz 26 Black Widows 22
Many a team have found themselves caught in the Black Widow’s web of touchdown catches, interceptions, and strategic defensive play calling.
The Widows only lost two games all season, unfortunately for them, once in the regular season, and once in the finals to the Bomber Boyz. The Bomber Boyz were in tough, winning both games against the arachnids by less than a touchdown, and with both games coming down to the final possession.
Mathew Kozier threw the winning touchdown with under three minutes remaining. However, it was the Bombers defence who finally swatted the Widows by intercepting a pass in the end zone on the final play of the game to secure victory.
Division 17
Hangover Boys 25 Scranton Stranglers 21
One season complete, one championship banner in the rafters!
The Hangover Boys were a rookie team that took just one loss in their inaugural season. The team got better as the season progressed, culminating in a closely contested championship victory.
Bobby Mangat threw for four touchdowns on offence, three to Parminder Mangat. Bobby also hauled in two interceptions on defence to win the game’s most valuable player award and seal the championship for the newcomers.
Neil Jonker, who played on Manitoba’s first ever flag football national championship team in 2002, showed he still has game, leading the Stranglers from Scranton with 13 points. Much celebration ensued after the final whistle sounded. Rumour has it that championship night will be the plot for the Hangover Part IV.
Redemption Bowl
The undisputed ones were lead by Tyson Amos who hit for the statistical cycle in the game – one sack, three interceptions, one convert, one touchdown, and four touchdown passes in the best game of his young career. Devin Simmons also added to the attack with three sacks and 16 points.
The Auntie Lovers were shown no love on this day, but they did manage a couple of interceptions, including a beauty from game MVP Julien Machado.
Fall MVP
Jordan “JJ” Mikolash
Congratulations to Jordan “JJ” Mikolash, who is our 2023 Fall Most Valuable Player.
Jordan finished in an unprecedented three-way tie for the most MVP votes, winning the season MVP via tiebreaker (fewest games played) compared to his opponents, both of which were former league MVPs (James Teschuk and Lauren Garbutt).
For his efforts, Jordan received quite the prize package from our league sponsors, including the MVP belt and a Blue Bomber replica Grey Cup ring! Congratulations to our newest MVP on his amazing season. If you want to try to best JJ in the winter season, be sure to get yourself registered!
The PIT Football league is the official touch and flag football league of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Be sure to follow us @PITFootball on Instagram and Twitter, or check out our website www.pitfootball.com
