photo by: Mark McMillin

The Douglas County Jayhawks will compete as one of two Kansas teams in the Nebraska Special Olympics' State Flag Football Tournament Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20.

Ten Douglas County Special Olympics athletes will take their talents to York, Neb., this weekend for the Special Olympics Nebraska State Flag Football Tournament.

While most of the 21 teams in the tournament are from Nebraska, the 10-man Douglas County Jayhawks squad and one other Kansas team — the New Hope Bulldogs from Pittsburg — will also be making the trip. The tournament will take place Saturday and Sunday, and the Douglas County Jayhawks will play four to six games over the weekend.

This is the team’s first year at the event, which has been held annually in Nebraska since 2010. However, coach Mark McMillin said the players, who range in age from 19 to 26, are up for the challenge.

“We were told we’re underdogs,” McMillin said. “We have a very good team. We’ve been practicing for a few months, and a lot of the boys have practiced on their own too.”

McMillin has been with Douglas County Special Olympics for six years, coaching soccer, basketball, powerlifting and track and field for participants with intellectual disabilities. Among the notable athletes he’s coached is powerlifter Brady Tanner, who was inducted into the Special Olympics Kansas Hall of Fame in 2018. Tanner will be tagging along with the team for this weekend’s tournament, although he won’t be playing.

“I really enjoy it,” McMillin said of his time with the organization. “Working with all these kids (has been great). They’re spectacular. The things they can do and achieve would amaze you.”

And the football players are eager to get on the field this weekend and put on a show, McMillin said.

“Special Olympics kids are very different and energetic,” he said. “They have as much drive as a regular team. They’re out there to show they can do it as much as a normal kid.”

McMillin was told some of the other teams that will be competing in Nebraska have played together for years, but he said that only adds to the players’ motivation.

“The guys are all extra competitive,” McMillin said. “They’re basically a family. Everyone likes getting together (and competing).”