SVS pulls ahead of 61st AMU

  • Published
  • By Story and photo by Airman 1st Class C.J. HATCH
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The joint 56th Services Squadron and 56th Mission Support Squadron team battled the 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit during an intramural flag football game Aug. 26. 

The game began with the 61st winning the coin toss for possession of the ball. 

SVS experienced their opponent's strong defense after being continually stopped without gaining yards. To respond SVS picked up their offense and began to gain yards. During the first 15 minutes the SVS offense and the 61st defense collided time after time making it hard for either team to score. 

With a third down, Sean O'Hagan, SVS quarterback threw a short pass to James Goodman who ran the ball to the 10-yard line giving SVS a 40-yard gain. At the 10, SVS was positioned to score. The 61st defense tried to hold the line, but a short pass by the SVS quarterback sent James Goodman, into the end zone for the first touchdown of the game. 

As time ran down in the first half, the SVS defense was put to the test as the 61st began to drive the ball down the field. As the 61st approached the goal line they turned the ball over to SVS due to a penalty with just enough time on the clock for one play. 

The SVS quarterback under pressure from the 61st defense threw a line drive right into the hands of a 61st defender who ran the ball 10 yards before the half ended. 

At half time SVS led 7-2. 

As the second half started SVS intercepted the ball and ran it to the 35-yard line. From there the SVS quarterback threw a deep pass to the SVS offense who caught the ball and ran it 20 yards for a touchdown, padding the SVS lead 13-2. 

The 61st took advantage of a tiring SVS defense. With an offensive running play and a good pass by Dennis Bettcher, 61st AMU quarterback, they were able to run the ball to the SVS 5-yard line. The 61st quarterback threw a slow floating pass into the arms of the offense giving the 61st a chance to close the lead 13-8. 

After the 61st scored, SVS surged back with a 15-yard run by Vince Cantu. SVS continued to gain yards, but were set back as a foul was called on the quarterback sending the team back 10 yards. To make it worse the SVS team received two back-to-back penalties costing them another 20 yards. Despite losing 30 yards the SVS quarterback threw a Hail Mary down the field to James Goodman who ran the ball 15 yards for another touchdown. 

With three minutes left on the clock the 61st tried to come back to win with the quarterback completing a pass for 20 yards. With the yards the 61st gained they were able to score another touchdown with one minute left. 

SVS, getting the ball for the last time, wound down the clock to secure the win 19-16.