“There will never be another first” Brockport triumphs over Elmira to win the inaugural Empire 8 football championship

David Premyslovsky/Staff Writer

BROCKPORT, N.Y. --- The Brockport Golden Eagles won the inaugural Empire 8 Flag Football Championship over the Elmira College Soaring Eagles 36-31, in front of an electric home crowd. Senior QB Megan Gerber totaled 387 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Golden Eagles as she took home the tournament MVP award.

Brockport’s Megan Gerber has her flag pulled near the goal line on April 24, 2026. (Photo: Brockport Athletics)

Despite Brockport being the No. 2 seed and winning six out of their last seven games, it was the #4 seed Soaring Eagles who got off to a fast start, jumping out to a 12-0 lead after forcing a turnover on Brockport’s first five possessions.  With the ball and a chance to go up by three scores in the early second quarter, Addy VanDewater picked off Elmira quarterback Hannah Smith and returned it to the endzone to get Brockport on the board.

Following this, the two teams took turns causing stops on defense until the final drive of the half. After a Lauren Cundra interception, the Golden Eagles were set up in prime field position at the Elmira 25-yard line. On 4th and four, Gerber scrambled to the right only to throw a shuffle pass to Trelani Harper in the endzone. After a successful PAT, the Golden Eagles took a 13-12 lead into the half.  

“They know what they’re doing. We've been prepared for this, so we just have to compose ourselves,” said Brockport head coach Charrise Everett on her team's mentality in this game. “I think we got a little anxious, but I just kept talking to them throughout and let them know they were here for a reason, and they just have to do what they know how to do.”

Brockport’s Addy VanDewater (#31) celebrates a touchdown with her teammates on April 24, 2026. (Photo: Brockport Athletics) 

On their first drive of the third quarter, the Golden Eagles methodically made their way down the field, resulting in a Caitlynn Haugh receiving touchdown to push the lead to 8, 20-12. Elmira, though, responded with a touchdown drive of their own that included a 27-yard bomb from Smith to Faith Ingber and ended with an 18-yard Smith scramble up the middle to cut the lead to two. After a penalty on the original PAT moved Elmira back five yards, Gerber intercepted Smith in the endzone and returned the PAT the other way for two points to make the score 22-18.

On the following possession, Elmira’s Amarionah Dixon intercepted Gerber to set up the Roaring Eagle offense with a chance to retake the lead. A chance that the Elmira Offense capitalized on as they went back in front, thanks to another Smith rushing touchdown to make the score 24-22.

This lead didn’t last for long as Gerber led the Golden Eagles down the field with an immediate response to retake the lead, 29-24. Elmira got the ball back down by one score with 5:40 to go. After a first down and a couple of short yardage gains, the Brockport defense held its ground on fourth and six to force a turnover. On the subsequent drive, Gerber finished an excellent offensive day with a four yard rushing touchdown to make the score 36-24. Elmira did add a late touchdown, but their last gasp attempt at an onside conversion was no good thanks to a Cundra interception, putting the game to bed.

“I had a couple of interceptions in the beginning, and I didn't want to keep doing that. I realized using my feet and getting some yards on the ground would keep the clock running and I know that’s an advantage of mine, so I wanted to use it,” said Gerber.

Hannah Smith finished the game 20/39 through the air for 258 yards to go along with one touchdown and five interceptions. Faith Ingber led the way for Elmira on the receiving end as she finished with seven receptions for 107 yards, Kylie Hook had eight receptions for 95 yards, Amarionah Dixon added two receptions for 37 yards, and Nyla Capen contributed three receptions for 19 yards. On the ground, it was also Smith leading the way for the Roaring Eagles with 116 yards on 13 attempts. Jenica Jones had 10 yards on two attempts; Capen finished with seven yards on two attempts, and Hook added 5 yards on her only attempt. With the defeat, the Soaring Eagles end their season with a 6-6 record.

For the Golden Eagles, Megan Gerber went 14/32 through the air for 127 yards plus three touchdowns and four interceptions. Katrin Althouse completed her only pass of the game for six yards. Addy VanDewater led all Brockport receivers with 35 yards on four receptions and a touchdown. Trelani Harper had 28 yards and a touchdown on four receptions, Caitlynn Haugh finished with 28 yards and a touchdown on three receptions, Lauren Cundra contributed 20 yards on two receptions, Ava Pytlik had 12 yards on a single reception, and Ariana Kennedy gained 10 yards on her only reception of the day. On the ground, Gerber led the charge for Brockport with a game-high 260 yards to go along with one rushing touchdown. Jaianna Byrd added 23 yards on her two carries.

“It’s the first season ever, and Brockport has it. That is so special,” said Gerber.

“There will never be another first. These girls have worked so hard from August to now. Kudos to everyone in Empire 8, because we all worked hard, but these girls really wanted it. We fought through a lot, went through a lot of injuries, and we never quit,” said coach Everett, encapsulating what this title means for everyone involved.

With the victory, the Golden Eagles improved to 9-3 on the season and are crowned the inaugural Empire 8 Flag Football champions. The Golden Eagles will be back in action at home on April 29, against Roberts Wesleyan.