The National Football League’s Flag Football Division kicked off in Richmond Hill on Sunday with their first week of games in week one.

In the Middle School Division, known as the Madden 6th-8th grade group, there would be a huge surprise upset to start the day off. The Raiders, who were previously the Texans, and undefeated champions of 2024, took their first loss in two years, as they dropped their game against the Seahawks by a score of 33-32. With several players returning from the back to back championship seasons, the Raiders could not get it done against a Seahawks’ squad that is looking to win their first championship at the middle school level this year. 

In other Madden 6th-8th games, the Bears would blank the Lions with a 22-0 score. The Chiefs just edged by the Cowboys by a 34-28 margin. The Rams blew by the Jaguars with a 38-20 score, and the new kids on the block, the Patriots, would go on to score more points in a single game, than anyone has multiple seasons, with a convincing 60-18 win over the Giants. 

In the Madden 4th-5th grade division, the Panthers blew by the Steelers with a final score of 26-0 on the day. The Dolphins narrowly defeated the 49ers 19-13 and the Broncos blanked the Texans with a 25-0 score. 

In the Shula 2nd-3rd grade division, the Bengals and the Chargers had a tight, defensive game, with the Bengals coming away with a 7-0 win. The Titans escaped with a 14-13 win over the Jets and despite a double overtime game; the Bills and the Colts would end their game in a 12-12, with neither team being able to score again after regulation.

In the Lombardi Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st grade division, the Commanders won in a commanding fashion over the Ravens with a 40-14 score. The Vikings edged past the Cardinals with a 24-20 win. The Falcons came on top against the Buccaneers with a 31-20 victory to complete the games in the afternoon. 

With Easter Sunday coming up, the NFL Flag League will be on pause for the weekend and will pick back up on April 27 for Week Two of the spring football flag season. The games begin at 11am at Devaul-Henderson Park. 

Zane Rowland is a sports correspondent with the Bryan County News.