Twitter
Facebook
Team Triad defeated the 86th Security Forces Squadron 21-0 in the intramural flag football championship game Oct. 13 at the Vogelweh track field.
The first half started as many championships do, with a few three-and-out drives from both sides of the field. The two opposing teams seemed to be feeling each other out before the incoming slew of scoring began.
With only two minutes left in the first half, Tech. Sgt. Ivan “Amen” Thomas, 603rd Air and Space Communications Squadron and Triad quarterback and safety, crushed all hopes of the security forces’ team scoring when he intercepted the ball in the end zone for a safety. The defenders had their fair share of great plays too. Airman 1st Class Othell Murphy, 86th SFS, denied Team Triad the opportunity of back-to-back touchdowns by sacking the Triads’ quarterback, Thomas, at the 20-yard line, which ended the first half down 7-0.
“There’s a difference between looking at a shark on TV and being in the water with one,” Thomas said. “We had to show them we were ready to play.”
After the short half-time intermission, Triad started the third quarter with a confident swagger that exuded a team on its way to a championship. Thomas launched a 20-yard pass to Senior Airman Jeremy Marshall, 1st Air and Space Communications Operations Squadron and Triad wide receiver. Team Triad continued to advance the ball into the red zone. Thomas then threw a touchdown pass to Marshall for Triad’s second touchdown, adding one more ingredient to the “beat-down stew” they were serving the defenders.
With Team Triad up 14-0, the defenders gave a valiant effort to come back and score. They drove the ball successfully to the 15-yard line when Triads’ two rushers, Airman 1st Class Jeremy Stubbs and Airman 1st Class Cerron “Skip” Bailey, both 603rd Air and Space Operations Center, put pressure on Staff Sgt. Louie Peralta, 86th Security Forces Squadron and defender’s quarterback resulting in another interception by Triad on the 3-yard line.
One week following a major surgery, in a stunning display of athleticism, Airman 1st Class Christopher Piro, 1st Air and Space Communications Operations Squadron and Triad cornerback and wide receiver, established himself as the MVP scoring the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter for the team.
“I just had jaw surgery last week. I wasn’t sure if I was going to get to play,” Piro said. “It was a good feeling winning the championship game. Everyone came together and played as a team.”
On the next series, Piro nailed the lid on the coffin shut by stealing back possession of the ball with a game ending interception.
Team Triad was undefeated for the entire football season. They won 21 straight games and were the only team from Ramstein to participate in the preseason tournament at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, which they won all five games there as well.
“We put in a lot of work; we practiced on Friday nights and holidays,” said Staff Sgt. Phillipe Fussell, 603rd Air and Space Communications Squadron and Triad coach. “People used to laugh at us for practicing so much. We feel vindicated after winning the championship game.”
There were a total of 28 teams and 13 games played per team. Team Triad’s next challenge will be the U.S. Air Forces in Europe flag football tournament at Camp Darby, Italy.
