2021-22 Unified Flag Football State Finals Recap

Oct. 16, 2021

DeKalb takes Unified Flag Football State Championship
Of the forty-one teams entered in the Fourth Annual IHSAA Unified Flag Football State Tournament, it was DeKalb High School who outlasted the competition and celebrated winning this year’s state championship.

The Barons, a first time state finalist, edged fellow first-timer Franklin Central 45-42 in the final game contested at the Grand Park Sports Event Center in Westfield.

It was DeKalb’s first state championship by a school team since 1986 (Class 4A football) and just its third overall.

The Barons, coached jointly by Ryan Baker and Carol Fike-Baker, won six games during the tournament including their first sectional and regional crowns over the previous two weeks. It was the school’s third year of fielding a team.

As part of the “Champions Together” partnership between the IHSAA and Special Olympics Indiana which launched in 2012, Unified Flag Football enables persons with and without intellectual disabilities to participate on the same team for sports training and competition.

DeKalb Teammates receive Mental Attitude Award
Following the state championship game, it was announced that Bryce Dobson and partner athlete Maddison Linker, both of DeKalb High School, were the recipients of the Bobby Cox Spirit of Unified Mental Attitude Award.

Recipients of the award are nominated by their principal and coach, and must meet specific criteria to be considered. An athlete must excel in mental attitude, joy, courage, self-advocacy, and commitment during their time in high school. A partner must excel in mental attitude, inclusive behavior, courage, advocacy, and commitment during their time in high school.

Bryce is the son of Ronnie and April Dobson and Maddison is the daughter of Jessica Gray. Both are from Auburn, Ind.

The award, established in 2020, is named in honor of Bobby Cox, who served as the IHSAA’s eighth commissioner from 2011 to 2020. His embrace of the Champions Together project led to the establishment of Unified Flag Football and Unified Track & Field, both co-ed, as sponsored IHSAA sports. A $1,000 scholarship was presented to DeKalb High School’s general scholarship fund in the names of Bryce Dobson and Maddison Linker.