By Grace Allen | Assistant Spread Editor
The intramural flag football league at California Baptist University is underway and is gaining popularity because of growth and an increase in the level of competition, giving more teams a chance at reaching the coveted Fortuna Bowl championship game.
In prior years it was always evident which teams would dominate the season and make an appearance at Fortuna Bowl, perhaps even take home the championship title. However, now that some teams are doing better than they have in the past, there is a higher chance for them to be contenders in Fortuna.
In the female flag football league, the Bus Drivers have been the dominant team since its establishment. Already possessing a 5-0 record, the Bus Drivers are off to a strong start and could make a sweep this season.
Bus Drivers quarterback Carissa Mott, senior kinesiology major, attributes this new spike in competition to the football clinic that helped new women become acquainted with the sport.
“It’s a great way for women to get involved and have fun,” Mott said.
Mott pointed out the Bus Drivers’ main rivals, SWAT and Smooth Criminals, are also improving and making competition harder.
On the other side of the league, intensity is also raising the competition level for the men’s league.
Dillon Panthers’ Brian Matteri, senior liberal studies major, and Danny Davis, sophomore mechanical engineering major, said they are enjoying the competition despite their team possessing a 0-3 record.
“It’s all about having fun for us,” Matteri said.
The players are not the only ones who have seen the evident spike in the competitive nature of flag football this season.
“The woman are definitely looking better this season than they did last year,” said Katy Knutson, recreational sports intern and member of the Bus Drivers.
Teams, students and recreational sports interns alike are all looking forward to Fortuna Bowl this year.
No matter who the teams are that make it to the finals, competition is sure to be intense as teams battle it out for the championship title.
