In recent seasons, Tyler Flint-Steinig has been a standout performer in two different types of football — and dissecting defenses very well in each.
On the field, Flint-Steinig has successfully quarterbacked freshman, junior-varsity and varsity high-school teams for the Washington-Liberty Generals. Currently, he is W-L’s varsity starter for the second straight year.
Off the field, the senior has found significant success over the last couple of years in Madden NFL esports competition by winning PlayVS Cup national and East Coast Regional high-school championships. He remains undefeated on the high-school level of the PlayVS Cup competition.
By winning the national title, Flint-Steinig also received a $1,500 scholarship along with trophies.
Outside of actual football, the 17-year-old Flint-Steinig generally is recognized as the best high-school Madden player in the country. The Madden competitions include competitors from hundreds of high schools.
Flint-Steinig also placed 14th against adult professional players in the premier Madden Championship Series competition.
Flint-Steinig began playing flag football, as a quarterback, in second grade before advancing to tackle football in eighth grade. He became interested in Madden football in seventh grade by watching the competition on YouTube.
He said playing both has helped with recognizing different defenses and not getting fazed by pressure situations as much in either competition.
“Madden football has really helped me so much with the mental aspects of the game,” Flint-Steinig told ARLnow. “It has helped me understand defensive formations and coverages a lot better.”
Washington-Liberty head varsity football coach Josh Shapiro agreed that esports competition helps the quarterback under the stadium lights.
“Tyler is really bright, he throws the ball well and he knows how to dissect a defense,” Shapiro said. “I think the Madden football has helped him understanding the game better.”
On the field for the varsity Generals, the 6-foot, 175-pound Flint-Steinig has been productive and accurate in all phases of the passing game.
He completed 180 passes for 2,214 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, helping Washington-Liberty finish with a 7-4 record, third in the Liberty District, and earn a region playoff berth. He threw for a career-best 421 yards in one game.
For those efforts, Flint-Steinig was chosen honorable-mention all-district.
Through four games this fall, Flint-Steinig already has 99 completions for 1,219 yards and 12 TDs as the Generals stand 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the district. He has achieved those numbers with a new cast of receivers this fall, with top returner Luke Jones having not yet played because of an injury, and new starters along the offensive line.
“The receivers and I all put in a lot of work during the offseason so we would be ready when the season began,” Flint-Steinig said.
One of his most productive games this season came in a fourth-week seesaw loss to the Westfield Bulldogs. Flint-Steinig completed 35 passes in that defeat for 408 yards and three touchdowns. He threw five scoring passes in a win over McLean.
In 2024, Flint-Steinig led Washington-Liberty’s junior-varsity team to a 6-1-1 record. The freshman squad he quarterbacked the year before won three games.
He also played freshman and junior-varsity boys basketball at Washington-Liberty, and is considering trying out for the varsity this coming winter.
Flint-Steinig’s success on the high-school gridiron has him exploring opportunities to continue playing in college. One school in particular has shown interest.
“I would like to have that chance to play in college,” Flint-Steinig said.
