With the top offensive and defensive players in the four-team event leading the way, Kelowna-based Team BC captured the U16 Western Canadian Flag Football Championship in Regina on the weekend.

A 47-20 victory over Manitoba in the title match on Sunday put the finishing touches on a five-game undefeated run that saw  Team BC win three round-robin games over Saskatchewan (44-0), Manitoba (35-25) and Alberta (54-6).

Photo Credit: ContributedThe Kelowna Selects represented B.C. at the U16 Western Canadian Flag Football championship tournament in Regina on the weekend and returned with the gold medal. Members of Team BC are, from left, front: Evan Fitchett, Aidan Vint, Noah Gross, Everett Schmuland, Tariq Brown, Risto Zimmer, Bronte Gallo, Caeleb Schlachter and Nate Beauchemin.Team BC also downed Manitoba 32-20 in the semifinal of the page playoff system.cred

Quarterback Nate Beauchemin, a Kelowna Minor Football Association graduate and a member of the Kelowna Owls junior varsity team, was selected as the offensive player of the tournament while teammate Noah Gross, also a member of the KSS Owls JV team, was named the defensive player of the tournament. Both were chosen by Football Canada and the organizing committee — including the referees — for their consistent high-level play.

Coach Kendall Gross said Beauchemin was outstanding throughout the weekend, staying calm in the pocket and was “sacked” only once during the five games.

Photo Credit: Lorne White/KelownaNowNate Beauchemin of Kelowna was selected as the most outstanding offensive player at the Westerns.“He was hands down the best quarterback in the event,” added Gross. “He was a real leader and all the coaches in the tournament agreed . . . and were amazed at his ability and field sense.”

Team BC coach Rod Vint said Noah Gross, the team’s pass rusher,  went 100% on every play on the field, recording numerous QB sacks; putting pressure on the quarterbacks; and forcing them to rush plays.

Photo Credit: Lorne White/KelownaNowKelowna's Noah Gross was the most outstanding defensive player in the Western championship.“When we needed it, Noah was also very effective in pass protection,” said Vint. “He received positive feedback from other coaches who had not seen a rusher as effective as he was throughout the weekend.”

Eight of the nine players — also including Evan Fitchett, Adan Vint, Everett Schmuland, Tariq Brown, Risto Zimmer and Caeleb Schlachter — will play for the KSS junior team this fall while Bronte Gallo will be a member of the Mt. Boucherie Bears.

As the Kelowna Selects, the KMFA team earned the right to represent B.C. at the Western Canadian flag football championships by winning nine straight games to claim the U16 title at the B.C. championship tournament in Kelowna in June.