Team Bluegrass (Colts) qualifies for 2026 NFL Flag National Championships
After battling through fall qualifiers, the local group prepares for pool play, national TV exposure and elite competition at Grand Park
IVAN K. RICE l doctorofsports@aol.com
PARIS, KY – One week from now, a group of young men from Paris, Bourbon County, Nicholas County and surrounding counties will represent the Indianapolis Colts organization at the third annual NFL Flag Championships presented by Toyota in Westfield, IN. The event runs July 23-26, with championship games scheduled for Sunday, July 26. Operated by RCX Sports, this year’s tournament will be held at the Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus, a sprawling 400-plus-acre facility featuring more than 30 multi-purpose fields in the Indianapolis metro area.
Their road to Nationals began last fall at the Bengals Regional Qualifier, where the group finished 2-2 and reached the title game. According to a report, they fell in heartbreaking fashion on a pass interference call with just three seconds remaining. That disappointment didn’t linger. Under coaches G. Davis Wilson and Bret Baierlein, the group, now known as Team Bluegrass, regrouped and traveled to the Colts Regional Qualifier at the end of October. There, they delivered a perfect 5-0 run and won the championship, punching their ticket to next week’s national stage.
“This group has been so much fun to coach. We have a group of young men who love to compete… but also really enjoy being around each other,” Coach Baierlein said. “I was really proud of the way the guys played in the fall. We faced some very good competition, and they made plays at every level.”
Two members of this year’s squad, Samuel Wilson and DeVaughn Hutsell, competed in last year’s NFL Championships with a Lexington-based team, an experience that didn’t go as well as they hoped. That memory fuels Coach Davis’ perspective as he prepares this group for the moment ahead. He wants them to enjoy the opportunity, but he also knows exactly how big the stage truly is.
“I look forward to watching these kids from Bourbon and Nicholas County compete,” Coach Davis said. He watched his son play in the event last year and understands the intensity of what awaits. “They competed hard to get this opportunity. Last year, albeit a different group, we had a lot of media attention before the tournament. I would prefer to have the attention after the tournament because of our play in the tournament.”
The NFL Flag Championships have quickly become the largest youth flag football tournament in the world, and this year’s event is the biggest yet. More than 350 girls and boys teams from across the globe will compete, showcasing the sport’s rapid growth and international reach. Flag football’s momentum is undeniable, and this tournament has become the premier proving ground for young athletes who want to test themselves at the highest level.
Coach Baierlein knows the competition will be fierce. “Heading into nationals, it is hard to know exactly what to expect, as we really haven’t seen many of those other teams. I know that we have some really good athletes on our team who love ball and love competition. Our goal is to compete as hard as we can and try to hang around as long as possible.”
Team Bluegrass coaches Bret Baierlein and G. Davis Wilson.
According to the NFL Championships website, ESPN will once again provide live coverage of the tournament. From Friday, July 24 through the championship games on Sunday, July 26, games will air on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN Deportes and NFL+, with select games also available on Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD, the ESPN App and ESPN on YouTube. Games will also be available in select international markets, giving these young athletes a truly global audience.
Team Bluegrass, who received early support from the Paris-Bourbon County YMCA to begin their national championship journey, will be represented by the following players: DeVaughn Hutsell, Samuel Wilson, Josh Bell, Steffen Baierlein, Harrison Darnell, Barrett Wilson, Ty Simons, Christian Nichols and Keegan Strait.
Three players shared their thoughts on the opportunity ahead.
“I can’t wait to represent Paris High School and my community at the NFL Flag Championship,” Samuel Wilson said. “Playing with a group of your friends in events like this makes it even more memorable.”
DeVaughn Hutsell echoed the sentiment. “It’s an honor to represent the Colts, my team and my community at the National Championship. I’m excited to compete against some of the best competition in the country while having fun at the same time.”
Steffen Baierlein added that he has really enjoyed playing with the guys. “I’m looking forward to doing something that can shine a light on our community.”
When Team Bluegrass arrives in Westfield, they will begin in pool play. To remain in the top bracket division and keep their national championship hopes alive, they must finish in the top two of their pool. That path would also give them a chance to play on national television.
Flag football continues to surge worldwide, with more than 20 million players globally. The sport will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028. Recently, NFL clubs voted to financially support the development and launch of a professional flag football league. The NCAA has approved flag football as part of the Emerging Sports for Women program, a major step toward varsity status across college athletics. Girls flag football is now offered at the high school level in 38 states, and more than 100 colleges and universities have women’s flag football programs. In Kentucky, girls flag football becomes a sanctioned KHSAA sport beginning in the 2027-28 school year.
As for Team Bluegrass, their journey is already a testament to what commitment and belief can build. They’ve battled through qualifiers, grown together, and earned their place on the biggest youth flag football stage in the world. Now, as they head to Westfield, they carry not just the Colts brand, but the pride of Paris, Bourbon County, Nicholas County and every young athlete who dreams of moments like this and shows exactly why they’ve become one of the most respected and tightly flag football teams in the region.
ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY PRISCILLA BAIERLEIN
TEAM BLUEGRASS – Pictured in the photo are members of the 2026 Team Bluegrass Flag Football Team that will be playing in the national championships. They’re shown here with their rings after winning the Colts Regional. Pictured from front to back and left to right are DeVaughn Hutsell, Josh Bell, Steffen Baierlein, Harrison Darnell, Coach G. Davis Wilson, Keegan Strait, Samuel Wilson, Ty Simons, Christian Nichols, and Coach Bret Baierlein.
