It might have started with 16 teams but the Alliston Union Titans emerged from the pack to become the last squad standing at the Simcoe County Flag Football Tournament at Burl's Creek near Orillia Oct. 25.

The Titans managed to brave both the rainy weather and the opposition to hang on to defeat the St. Catherine's Sabrecats in the championship game 20-6. The win marks the first time that a school from Alliston has won a flag football title.

"These kids gave everything they had whether it was in practise, games, rain or snow," said Alliston coach Miguel Cercone. "The way that they played this game said a lot about them both as athletes and as people."

The Alliston team had to survive a five-game tournament in a snowstorm in Bradford to qualify for the tournament in the week leading up to the tournament.

"We didn't start the season well and the Sabrecats had a record of 20-0 going into this game so a lot of people didn't like our chances," said team captain Rory McCreight. "Fortunately, we never gave up on our ourselves, and I think our performance ultimately spoke for itself. It's the first time that any of us have been a part of a championship team at Alliston Union."

The Simcoe County tournament, which is played annually in front of hundreds of parents and fans, starts off with the 16 best teams from both public and Catholic schools across the county and then whittles itself down to one after a round robin and playoff schedule.

To qualify, teams must finish in either first or second place in one of the county's eight regional zone tournaments. The winning school receives a championship banner and bragging rights in Simcoe for at least a year.

"It really doesn't get any better than this," said defence Emily Davies. "We've proven to all of the other schools that we can do something better than anyone else. Nobody can take this away from us. Now I'm going to go home, take a hot shower and try to get warm."

For at least one year, she and the rest of her teammates can rest easy.