PROSPERITY — Wightman United Methodist Church set out to their new recreation field Sunday afternoon to play an inaugural flag football game.

The game was originally scheduled for Oct. 20, but inclement weather forced the game to be rescheduled.

The Dolphins and Giants faced off at 2 p.m. followed by the Panthers and Raiders at 3 p.m. Teams consist of about seven to eight boys — the teams play for about 45 minutes to an hour with a halftime in-between. During this time, a devotional is read for the parents and youth.

“Us, as a church, have come together and we wanted to make sure that these kids have fun. Last week (Oct. 20) was cancelled — they were really disappointed, but we really wanted to make this one for them today and I know a lot of them are looking forward to it,” said Mary Mac Richardson, one of the organizers of the Upward league at Wightman UMC.

Richardson said while youth are playing a sport they love it also gives them a chance to learn about God.

“This is a great thing for our church and for these kids — we get to see them, like I said, have fun, play a sport that they love and also learn about Jesus, God and how maybe they can get into a church one day,” she said.

While sign ups are closed now, Richardson said they are planning on having a soccer league in the spring and will hopefully have flag football again next fall.

“We plan on having soccer in the spring — we’re going to try to do girls and boys. Flag football was supposed to be for girls and boys this fall, but it just ended up being a lot of boys wanted to play,” she said. “The way we do it is you go on www.upward.com and look for flag football in this area — our name should pop up. We do have a website at our church www.umc.org and you can sign up through that way — we also have banners hanging up at the cross and it shows you where to sign up as well.”

Each team consists around seven to eight boys and offers the youth a chance to play a sport they love while also learning about God.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Flag3.jpgEach team consists around seven to eight boys and offers the youth a chance to play a sport they love while also learning about God. Kelly Duncan | The Newberry Observer

Despite a soggy field, it didn’t stop the youth from scoring touchdowns.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Flag4.jpgDespite a soggy field, it didn’t stop the youth from scoring touchdowns. Kelly Duncan | The Newberry Observer

Youth took to the field Sunday afternoon for the inaugural flag football at Wightman United Methodist Church. The Dolphins and Giants took the field at 2 p.m. followed by the Panthers and Raiders at 3 p.m.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Flag2.jpgYouth took to the field Sunday afternoon for the inaugural flag football at Wightman United Methodist Church. The Dolphins and Giants took the field at 2 p.m. followed by the Panthers and Raiders at 3 p.m. Kelly Duncan | The Newberry Observer

The Dolphins and Giants give a friendly handshake before their inaugural flag football game at the Wightman United Methodist recreation field Sunday afternoon.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Flag1.jpgThe Dolphins and Giants give a friendly handshake before their inaugural flag football game at the Wightman United Methodist recreation field Sunday afternoon. Kelly Duncan | The Newberry Observer

By Kelly Duncan

kduncan@championcarolinas.com

Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-768-3123 ext. 1868 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.