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During rainy weather conditions, the 86th Communications Squadron flag football team, Team Comm, claimed victory during the first season playoff game over the 86th Dental Squadron team Oct. 5 at the fitness center field.
The communications squadron won the game 26-6 with team attitude and strong defense. An early offensive foul did not deter Team Comm from scoring quickly in the first half when running back Blane Woodard scored after maneuvering around the defenders.
“Our game plan was to control the time and control the clock,” said Team Comm quarterback Randy McGinnis. “Fortunately, we’ve had the opportunity to be very versatile with our passing and running game. With our guys using their bodies to shield the other team’s rushers, it gave us more time to attack, run down the clock and control the ball without having to put it in the air as it was wet and nasty outside. With the athletes we have on our team, we were able to do that successfully.”
The dental squadron rallied back after quarterback Wunsa “Pac Man” Cleveland ran the ball in for a touchdown to tie the game 6-6. However, the conversion point was lost when the communication squadron’s linebacker Kurtis Harrison intercepted the pass.
At the start of the first half, both teams showed a strong running offense, but the dental squadron proved no match for Team Comm’s defense.
“We played hard-nose, quick football, trying not to give the other team first downs and learning from our mistakes while on the field,” said Harrison, who is also the defensive captain.
Midway through the first half, Team Comm’s quarterback ran the ball in for a touchdown followed by the team scoring a conversion point, putting the squadron in the lead by seven points. Dental tried to even the score, but when they went for the first down, Team Comm’s safety Delvon Newbill intercepted the pass, taking them into halftime with the lead.
Starting off the second half, Team Comm’s tight end Tim Fordham scored the third touchdown and the team completed another conversion point, upping the lead 20-6.
“We played all-around team football,” said Robert Latimer, Team Comm coach. “We understand our strengths and weaknesses as a football team. We know the guy who’s playing next to us and what his capabilities are. It gives us the ability to adjust and do different things in the game as the other team tries to change their game plan.”
Team Comm maintained a tight defense, keeping the dental squadron on their own 20 yard line.
“Our rushing put the other quarterback in a panic, so he had to make quick decisions,” the defensive captain said. “With our linebackers playing good zone and our safeties and cornerbacks shutting down the other team’s receivers, we gave them nowhere to run.”
At the end of the second half, McGinnis completed a touchdown pass to Team Comm wide receiver Darius Charles, clinching the game with a 26-6 victory.
“There’s always something you can do to improve,” Coach Latimer said. “Being as rainy as it was, we couldn’t utilize our receivers as much as we’d have liked to. Hopefully the next game will be better. No matter what we’re a team. We go out there as a team, and we win or lose as a team.”
Team Comm won the playoffs and will represent Ramstein in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Flag Football Championships in November.
For more information on the 86th Services Squadron intramural sports program, visit the Southside Fitness Center or check out their Web site at www.86thservices.com.
