Florida claims 5th SFL title, upsets Canton

The Florida Storm topped the Canton Classics 20-17 Saturday afternoon at Zolnier Championship Field in League City, the site of the 2024 SFL Convention, as well as the Season 23 SFL Championship coming up in November.

For the Storm, it was the team's fifth title, previously winning in Seasons 10, 11, 12 and last season - Season 21. Season 10 was the start of the player progression era, and history is repeating itself with the Storm now building another dynasty at the start of the 4k23 era. 

For the Canton Classics, first-time championship participants in their fourth SFL season, they become the third team to lose a Championship Game with an undefeated record, joining the Season 7 Louisville Wolfpack and the Season 11 Tallahassee Pride. Ironically, it was the Storm who topped the Pride, by an almost identical score, 22-17. 

It was a setup between two goliaths - one of the past and one of the present. Both teams set themselves up for success - one through long-form team building and the other with the element of surprise. 

In any case, it will go down as one of the most interesting and bizarre Championships. 

• It tied the record for fewest points in a SFL Championship Game, joining Season 14's 27-10 Atlanta win over Sioux Falls. 
• Season 14 was also the last time a team made their debut in a SFL Championship Game (Canton) - when Atlanta and Sioux Falls both did. 
• It was the first Championship since Season 19 to be won by seven or fewer points. 

Stay tuned for league announcements for Season 23, including rule changes and the off-season schedule release. Season 23 is slated for kickoff Friday July 12 at the SFL Convention in League City, Texas - just South of Houston.