The U.S. Men’s and Women’s Flag National Teams both earned first-place finishes for gold medals at the 2021 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Flag World Championships in Jerusalem, Israel.

Both U.S. teams completed the world championship with 7-0 records, each defeating Mexico National Teams in Gold Medal Games today – the U.S. Women won 31-21, and the U.S. Men notched a 44-41 victory.

The tournament hosted an all-time high number of participating countries for any IFAF World Championship event in its 23-year history – 39 national teams from 22 nations. Archived game telecasts, rosters and more reside on the world championships’ official website here.

After defeating Austria, 33-6, in Wednesday’s semifinal, the U.S. Women advanced to the final against Mexico. The game started very quickly with both teams getting on the board on their first drives. But Mexico took the early 8-6 lead after converting on a two-point conversion.

The teams would exchange another set of scores, but a crucial Mexico defensive stop right before the half preserved their 21-19 lead at the half. The U.S. Women made defensive adjustments at the intermission and shut out Team Mexico in the game’s final 20 minutes, forcing Mexico to turn the ball over on downs on all four of their remaining possessions.

“Defensive adjustments and staying poised and in control were the keys to our success,” said U.S. quarterback Vanita Crouch of Carrollton, Texas.

With less than two minutes left in game and the U.S. ahead 25-21, on 3rd and 17 from the Americans’ 8-yard line, Krouch connected with a diving Joann Overstreet (Lewisville, Texas) down the middle of the field for a 25-yard completion and a fresh set of downs on the Mexico 12. Two plays later, Krouch found receiver Sheneika Adger Comice (Tampa, Fla.) on a roll out to the right, hitting Comice for a touchdown to extend the U.S. lead to 31-21, which would stand as the final score.

“I’m extremely proud of our women coming together,” said U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Chris Lankford. “They were dedicated to the mission at hand, and they succeeded.”

Krouch led the way for the U.S., throwing five touchdown passes in the game. While Comice hauled in nine receptions, three for touchdowns.

The U.S. Men’s final game against Mexico was just as thrilling.

Both men’s offenses started quickly and effectively with each team scoring on their first three drives. But a decisive stop in the redzone from Mexico earned them to a 28-23 halftime lead.

With Mexico began the second half with the ball and scored on a five-play, 45-yard drive, concluding with a 10-yard TD pass on third and goal. A successful point-after from the U.S. 5-yard line gave Mexico a 35-23 lead.

After an exchange of TDs, Mexico enjoyed a 41-30 advantage with 10 minutes left to play. The U.S. marched down the field in three plays and responded with a 4-yard TD pass from Eric Holliday (Lantana, Texas) to Darrell Doucette III (New. Orleans, La.). The Americans would convert on their extra point, cutting Mexico’s lead to 41-37 with a major defensive stand upcoming.

With just under six minutes left in the game, Mexico lined up for a 4th and 17 on its own 8-yard line. A Mexico pass launched down the middle of the field was intercepted by U.S. defensive back Frankie Solomon, Jr. (Dallas, Texas), giving the Americans a chance to take the lead late while still trailing 41-37.

With the clock winding down, Holliday moved the U.S. down the field, burning time and inching closer to the endzone. As the U.S. ate yards and clock, Mexico used both of its second-half timeouts, hoping to conserve time to respond if the Americans scored.

That plan came to fruition as two plays later Holliday found receiver Michael Dunn (Nashville, Tenn.) on a roll out to the left to give the U.S. its first lead of the second half with just under a minute to go. The U.S. was successful on its point-after try to gain a 44-41 lead with 1:02 remaining.

Mexico began its final drive by gaining a first down in four plays, giving them first-and-goal on the U.S. 24-yard line with 41 seconds left, but they would get no closer. The U.S. defense forced three consecutive incompletions, bringing up a 4th and 24. On its final play, Mexico lateraled the ball behind the line of scrimmage several times, the last of which was batted down by U.S. pass rusher Bryan Meek (Garland, Texas) to end the game.

“Mexico played extremely well, but through the entire process our team made a statement,” said U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Bryan Garcia. “They represented their country, the program, themselves, and their families well and I’m proud of them.”

“That feeling when the final whistle blew, the emotional roller-coaster and seeing everyone so happy, it was a great moment and I’m glad we walked away with the win,” added U.S. quarterback Eric Holliday.

Holliday led the way with six touchdown passes for the American men. Bruce Mapp, Jr. (Carrollton, Texas) was dominant in the passing game with 16 receptions and a touchdown. Along with Mapp’s performance, Michael Dunn caught two touchdown passes from Holliday for the U.S.

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