With record enrollment this fall, seniors as well as freshmen have taken part in intramural flag football competition at Buffalo Sports Park.

Participation among first year freshmen has attracted attention, especially by senior Criminal Justice major and flag-football competitor David Sanchez.

“Participation has been huge. There are so many teams out there this semester and it’s been one huge competition,’’ he said. “Seeing the freshmen when they play, it seems to take them out of their bubble and they learn how to interact with our guys and become better friends.”

Senior Biochemistry major and flag-football competitor Jared Terrell has also noticed an increase in participation this fall, which he believes will help create new friendships.

“This semester I see a lot of freshmen from the residence hall getting out and getting involved,’’ he said. “They’re competing with the juniors and seniors trying to beat us and forming friendships that will last them for the next four years.”

Although the intramural season has created interaction between upperclassmen and freshmen, that doesn’t mean Senior Sports & Exercise major Tanner Lakey believes the younger generation isn’t at a disadvantage on the football field.

“Just like any freshmen when they come in and may have succeeded in high school sports they think they’re going to dominate, but they quickly discover flag-football is a lot different than high-school tackle football,’’ Lakey said. “It takes time for freshmen to adjust and we have more experience with play recognition and how the referees make calls.’’

Ultimately the fall intramural flag football season has created interaction between younger and upperclassmen.