Florida Gateway wins Women's Flag Football Championship

Photo courtesy of Keith Jackson (@JaxsnsVisuals)
Photo courtesy of Keith Jackson (@JaxsnsVisuals)

LAKE CITY, Fla. - Florida Gateway College won the FCSAA's inaugural Women's Flag Football Championship on Saturday, defeated Daytona State College, 37-0, at the FGC Flag Football Complex. 

Playing on the site of the former Boy's Club of Columbia County, where the building still bears the name of Lake City resident and NFL legend Pat Summerall, the Timberwolves made their own statement on the gridiron. 

Florida Gateway started the scoring when Kayla Ludwig hit Makayla Brown for a 21-yard touchdown reception with 3:26 left in the first quarter. The extra point was no good leaving the Timberwolves in front 6-0.

The score was still 6-0 when a 72-yard pick-six by FCSAA Defensive Player of the Year London Jenkins at the 3:39 mark of the second quarter gave Florida Gateway a 12-0 lead. A near-second interception return gave Florida Gateway a short field and it converted - Ludwig's eight-yard touchdown run made it 18-0.

Florida Gateway got the ball back once more and Ludwig found Jenkins for a 45-yard touchdown reception. This time the extra point was good and the Timberwolves took a 25-0 lead to the half. They added a pair of scores after the break. 

Ludwig finished 9-of-14 for 120 yards and two touchdowns. 

Brown was the leading receiver with four for 53 yards and the touchdown. Jenkins had three receptions for 49 yards and a pair of scores. 

Alex Harris had one rushing attempt but it went the distance - 51 yards for a second-half touchdown. 

Daytona State pitched a shutout of its own on Saturday, beating Pasco-Hernando State College, 19-0, in the semifinal match to earn its place in the championship tilt. 

Jenkins was named the Most Outstanding Player of the championship event and Florida Gateway head coach Ricky Hufty was named FCSAA Women's Flag Football Coach of the Year. 

Both Florida Gateway and Daytona State will travel to the NJCAA Women's Flag Football Invitational in Kansas City, Kan., where the Timberwolves will go for a third straight national championship.