ELLIOTT GILES

BEAVER TOWNSHIP — As Youngstown State’s leader in yards receiving for a single game (214) and one of just four players all-time with 200-plus receiving yards in a contest, Elliott Giles knows a little bit about the game of football.

YSU’s all-time leader in yards per catch for a career (20.2), Giles earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education and is someone who knows what it takes to get today’s youth involved, both in and out of the classroom.

Upon completion of his college eligibility, the Miami, Florida, native remained in the area and played the game he has loved since his childhood, making a name for himself locally and on the traveling adult flag football circuit where he played competitively until three years ago.

Now 42, the 2010 YSU Athletics Hall of Fame honoree told the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly meeting at Avion Banquet Center that the time and energy he has put into his Youngstown Youth Flag Football Association has been a labor of love.

“We’ve averaged 60 teams a season since I founded the YYFFA 13 years ago,” Giles said. “Also, 800 teams and approximately 16,000 kids have taken part and none of this would be possible without the help of the many parent volunteers over the years.”

Giles’ efforts have made his league one of the most reputable and recognized nationally as the YYFFA is currently one of the top five NFL flag sanctioned organizations in the country.

“I’ve always had a passion for kids because I am a teacher by trade,” Giles said. “I started playing myself but wanted to get our youth, both boys and girls, involved so that they could have the fun that I was having. Because of the success we have enjoyed locally, regionally and nationally, I really am humbled with what we have been able to build and accomplish over the past decade.”

The YYFFA boasts six divisions and includes ages 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and is considered the pioneer of flag football in the Midwest.

His 2012 girls’ (13-14) team won the league’s first national championship, that coming in February 2013 in New Orleans during the weekend of Super Bowl XLVII.

Since then, the league has produced seven more national champions — six boys and one co-ed squad — for a total of eight national titles. It has also won 20 regional titles.

Three teams this past summer alone won national championships (boys 8 and 9-U, and co-ed 7-U) just 65 miles down the road in Canton, which is the site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“In all, we’ve had five teams win national titles in the past 11 months,” Giles said. “It has been a fun run and right now we are preparing to take six teams to two separate national championships. It’s a busy, yet fun time for all.”

In January, Giles will take four teams (6-U, 7-U, 8-U and 9-U) to Tampa, Florida, for nationals in their respective divisions and after flying home long enough to catch his breath, he’ll fly to Orlando, site of this year’s Pro Bowl, as two other YYFFA teams (boys 9-10 and girls 13-14) will compete in the NFL Flag Nationals.

“All six teams are either champions or runners-up from a season ago,” Giles said. “We’re pretty much returning with the same players but in different age groups. We have embraced the expectation of excellence and believe in the process. Our kids are preparing well and are up for the challenge.

“We’ve set the bar high. With that comes great expectation and even greater responsibility,” Giles said. “We’re aware of the challenge ahead as we face some of the very best teams in the country, but we’re up for the challenge and will do our best to once again bring home what we hope will be multiple national championships.”

Further information about the league can be obtained by calling 330-774-1784, or by e-mail at yffayouth@gmail.com.

Curbstone Coaches will take a break for the holiday season, returning Jan. 6 when Cody Allen, president of YSU bass fishing, and team member Mike Soots will address the membership.