University students keep the pigskin flying with intramural playoffs

Although Ray Lewis’ “last ride” is over, football season isn’t quite done on the campus of Troy University.

No, the Men of Troy aren’t suiting up inside Veterans Memorial Stadium, it’s the regular students who are getting a chance to shine on the football field.

The Troy University Intramural Sports Department is in the middle of the playoffs in their first season of 4-on-4 flag football.

Aaron Martin, Coordinator for Intramural Sports at Troy, said the game of flag football has many similarities and differences from “real football.”

“This is the first year we have ever done the 4-on-4,” said Martin. “We have done 7-on-7 in the fall for years. There is no contact and every tackle is with flags. Defensively there is no bumping or contact allowed.”

Martin said that one of the biggest differences in the two versions of football, is the amount of laterals that take place in flag football.

“Everybody is pitching the ball back-and-forth to try to break a big play,” Martin said. “Laterals are going left and right, and is a huge difference from contact football.

The playoffs began on Tuesday afternoon, and will crown a champion on Thursday.

While many of the teams play “backyard ball,” Martin said that some plan ahead and develop playbooks for the event.