Karsceal Turner – I Got Next!
Flagler and Volusia County love their football. Multiple teams have taken to the field throughout recent years to include the Volusia Wolfpack and two incarnations of the Daytona Beach Wildcats. Now the Flagler Knights, est. 2014 look to show and prove that amateur football is indeed alive in the area.
Flagler Knights Football Inc. Is an Adult Amateur League football organization within the Florida Football Alliance. It is geared towards being a positive outlet for young men who wish to continue football beyond High school and those wishing to participate in something recreational and proactive in their lives. Players on this team and league as a whole are not paid to play, and have a financial responsibility to fulfil to participate during the season. In return, the organization is fully committed to helping these individuals seek out their dreams on the field.
According to Defensive Coordinator/Co-owner, Charlie Washington IV, the team was established in the summer of 2014 to provide a positive environment for young men throughout the Flagler community and surrounding areas.
Washington said he and co-owner Chris Jones wanted to help young men pursue the sport of football with the potential of entering a collegiate, or a professional team.
According to Washington, Flagler resident, Beverly Robinson had been trying to form the team and reached out for assistance. Robinson later left the organization and Washington and Chris Jones took over.
Flagler fans deserve their Football dose
“Guys had already committed time and funds so we didn’t and couldn’t let them down,” Washington said. “I’ve been around the league since 2003 so I called up some former teammates and we came together to play
“About a dozen team members reside in Daytona Beach,” Washington said. “The rest are from Palm Coast/Bunnell. Our home games are played in Bunnell at Edward Johnson City Park,” he said.
Washington, has playing experience he has played for seven teams since 1989 including the Knights, where he is a back-breaking Linebacker and fullback. The Martin County native has coached since 2004 on a youth level but this season was his first venture into adult coaching.
He emphasized that the organization’s values mirrors his own. Those values consists of Sportsmanship, Integrity, Dedication, Determination, Participation, and most importantly, high community involvement.
The Knights are members of the 16-team Florida Football Alliance (FFA). The league consists of two divisions (eight NFC and eight AFC) from across the Sunshine State. The league literally runs the length of the state north to Jacksonville, south Key West, and west to Tampa. Each division selects 6 teams to make playoffs. “We are the #6 in the NFC,” Washington said.
The Knights (3-7) are part of the NFC North Division along with the Orlando Rage (9-1), Gainesville Gators (5-4), and the Jacksonville X-Men (1-8).
First-year playoff appearance
In just one year in the league, the Knights were selected to represent the NFC a 2015 wildcard game on the road vs. the #3 Tampa Patriots, who hold a good 7-3 record. The game will be played May 2nd in Tampa at the Police Athletic League, located at 1924 W. Diana ST, Tampa, FL, 33604, game time is 7pm.
Washington marveled at the community support the team has received but also solicits more support as the team travels to tis first playoff appearance moving forward to its second season.
“We’ve been received very well,” he said. “We get around 75-100 fans on a good game day. The Bunnell Chicken pantry gave us a billboard out in front of their restaurant. The kids love us!”
Home games are played at Edward Johnson City Park located at 401 E. Court Street, Bunnell, FL 32110.
Each season suns from January to May. Championship weekend is held in Daytona and to be played at municipal Stadium on May 30th followed by an All-Star game the May 31st. For more information concerning Flagler Knights football, contact Charlie Washington Co-Owner at [email protected] or at 386-986-5299. Tryouts will be held in until September but workouts will start in August.
