23rd SVS takes Moody's intramural football title

Published Nov. 21, 2007
By Airman 1st Class Spencer Gallien
23rd Wing Public Affairs

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The 23rd Services Squadron recently squeaked out a 14-7 victory during a nail-biting Base intramural flag football championship game against the 23rd Maintenance Squadron.

Both teams boasted a 7-2 record during regular season, though 23rd SVS held the number one seeding due to an earlier victory against the 23rd MXS.

During the eight-team double elimination tournament, 23rd SVS marched through the winner's bracket. The MXS's road to the championship game was a bit bumpier.

After entering the loser's bracket, 23rd MXS faced for the rest of the tournament. To get to the championship, the 23rd MXS had to win back-to-back games. To claim the championship trophy, the 23rd MXS would also have to beat 23rd SVS twice.

"I'm very proud of the way we stepped up at the end of the season," said Benjamin Aldridge, 23rd MXS captain. "We really proved ourselves."

The maintainers pushed the championship into a series after defeating 23rd SVS 19-15 in the initial game.

The second and final championship game started off with an offensive boom.

In the first drive of the game, 23rd MXS quarterback David White, leapt into the air to get a better view of the end zone. The move paid off as he was able to hit wide receiver Jesse Rand with an off-balance touchdown pass.

The 23rd SVS wasted no time answering the touchdown and tied the game when receiver Jorge Nunez caught a 10-yard touchdown-pass thrown by William Breacher, 23rd SVS quarterback, at the very edge of the end zone.

"If anything can be said of the first half, it is that the first two sets of downs were not foreshadowing of the rest of the game," said Michael Francis, 23rd SVS linebacker. "Hard-nosed, good defense was the key to our victory."

During half-time, both teams made adjustments to try and put some more points on the board. In the end, 23rd SVS came out on top.

"The real turning point in the game was when Antonio Williams (23rd SVS safety) intercepted a pass at the two-yard line." said Aldridge. "The interception really knocked the wind out of us."

During the ensuing drive Blake Williams, 23rd SVS running back, rushed 10-yards into the end zone for the final and winning touchdown of the game.

After the touchdown, the 23rd SVS "worked" the clock to prevent 23rd MXS from tying the game.

"After an interception with 15-seconds left in the game we knew we had it," said Francis. "Maintenance was driving on us and it almost looked like we were going to go into overtime until Jamahl Jones (Services cornerback) intercepted a pass in the red zone."

"I would like to give a lot of credit to the 23rd MXS," said Francis. "They came out with a lot of determination and are a very talented team."

Though there can only be one winner, both teams exemplified the sportsmanship befitting a Moody Flying Tiger.

"It was a great season in general," said Aldridge. "Not only for us but the whole league in general, from the officiating to the individual teams, it was a great year for intramural football."