MOS avenges only loss of season

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class David Owsianka
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 56th Maintenance Operations Squadron dominated the 56th Communications Squadron during the intramural flag football championship game Feb. 13 with a final score of 45-13 at the Luke Air Force Base Bryant Fitness Center football field.

MOS sprinted their way into the championship defeating all but one opponent, and the only loss came from CS in the regular season 27-20 in overtime.

MOS's successful run consisted of cohesiveness on offense and defense, as well as having a solid offensive line. Many of the players have played together for the past two to three seasons, allowing them to thoroughly know the plays and know what each teammate is thinking.

CS marched their way through the season with ease finishing with a 5-1 record, but was handed a rare loss by the 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron in the second round and had to fight their way to the championship in the double-elimination playoff tournament.

Prior to the championship game, CS faced the tough LRS team again in the semifinals and had a hard fought battle coming out on top in overtime.

"After playing a tough, tiring game against LRS, we intended to stick to the fundamentals by not turning the ball over and make key plays when the time came," said Robert Smoot, 56th CS.

MOS won the coin toss before the game, but deferred, giving CS the ball to start the game.

On the second play of the game CS threw an interception that was taken to the 7-yard line. The following play, MOS threw a touchdown pass taking a 6-0 lead.

During the following possession, CS quickly moved down the field, but came up short as MOS stopped them at the 16-yard line.

"After the first couple of possessions, we were definitely fatigued from the semi-final game," Smoot said. "We didn't have the legs we thought we would."

For the rest of the first half, MOS dominated on both ends of the field scoring 25 points and only allowing CS to score 7.

"I think the interception at the beginning of the game set the tone for the rest of the game," said Derek Ezell, 56th MOS. "I feel our defense forced the quarterback to make a decision before he was ready to and led to some incomplete passes."

The second half started with CS making several quick completions, before throwing an interception at midfield, which led to an MOS score.

The next drive, CS answered back by throwing a 65-yard touchdown pass making the score 32-13.

MOS wasted no time to respond by throwing a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the drive.

Unable to get a first down on the next possession, CS turned the ball over on their 18-yard line. MOS quickly scored on the first play expanding the lead to 45-13 before the game ended.

"It feels great to win the championship," Ezell said. "Even though we would like to have had an undefeated season, this game showed us we were the best team this season."