Tucson Turf’s 15U boys team representing the Arizona Cardinals came close to playing for the title of the NFL Flag Championships at Canton, Ohio, on Sunday, but receiver Sean Roebuck was ruled by referees to have stepped out of bounds before reaching the end zone as time expired against Metro Select (Saints).
Participants enter the event knowing the NFL Flag Championships does not use replays to review referee calls although many of the games are broadcast by ABC/ESPN networks.
A replay of an ESPN broadcast indicated that Roebuck did not step out of bounds. His left foot came about an inch from reaching the sideline as he ran into the end zone following the pass from Jake Rogers.
With that potential score nullified, Metro Select of Cedar Park, Texas, held on for the 13-6 win.
Tucson Turf pulled to within 13-6 after Rogers, son of former Salpointe coach Eric Rogers, hit Roebuck from 3 yards out for a touchdown with 4:28 to play.
Roebuck is the younger brother of former Marana standout Isaiah Roebuck (now a standout baseball and football player at University of Jamestown of North Dakota) and current prolific Tiger receiver Dezmen Roebuck, a Class of 2025 talent who has verbally committed to Washington.
Jake Rogers, who transferred from Salpointe to Chandler Basha, completed 11 of 14 passes for 116 yards. Zerek Sidney totaled 58 receiving yards on five receptions. Roebuck made four catches for 36 yards.
Metro Select went on to capture its second consecutive 15U boys title in the event. It defeated the Lockdown Legends (Titans) of Nolensville, Tenn., by a score of 38-13 in the championship.
It was a great run. Thank you @NFLFLAG and @oakley for the platform for these kids! #nfl #nflflag #azcardinals #espn #birdgang pic.twitter.com/yYZ4IK9EpS
— Tucson Turf Elite Football (@TucsonTurfElite) July 21, 2024
Tucson Turf’s 13U team advanced to the championship and lost 27-6 to Brave Performance (Lions) of Wayne County, Mich.
Overall, Tucson Turf’s seven teams that competed in the NFL Flag Championships performed well against national competition.
The organization, founded and coached by Toby Bourguet, had six teams reach at least the quarterfinals of their respective bracket. Three of them went as far as the semifinal round.
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