Flag-football game sparks up an old rivalry

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua Edwards
  • 17th Training Squadron Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The tension was in the air as two teams stood out on the Mathis Fitness Center's football field here, boasting and bragging that their team would win at the Goodfellow Air Force Base annual Army versus Navy flag-football game Dec. 7.

Pride and camaraderie in the Army and the Navy go back the 237 years that they have been in existence. However, there has also been a strong rivalry between these two units and it was apparent as they competed.

Both teams came onto the field determined to win. The Army got the ball first, and was able to make a quick touchdown.

However, the Navy was able drive the ball down the field and score a touchdown of their own, but by the time halftime came around the Navy was trailing the Army by 13 points.

Going into the 3rd quarter the Navy knew what they had to do to make a comeback and cut down their turnovers.

"We're a second half team, but we need for the Army to stop intercepting," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Josh Hardell, Navy Center for Information Dominance Detachment aviation boatswain mate.

The Navy Detachment proved to really be a second-half team. They were able to close up the gap, although they remained behind the Army. Finally, with only a minute and 21 seconds left on the clock, the Navy intercepted the ball and was downed, this was the chance they needed to tie up the game and bring it into overtime.

On the next play the Navy's center snapped the ball and a wide receiver rushed toward the end zone. He ran to the 40-yard line then the 30. The Navy's quarterback made the pass, but it was just out of the reach of the wide receiver.

After a few short plays, it was the Army's ball again, securing their victory over the Navy. The final score of the game was Army 26, Navy 19. What would have been a normal Friday afternoon at Goodfellow Air Force Base, turned into the Army gaining bragging rights over the Navy.

Army Lt. Col. Devon Blake, Army 344th Military Intelligence Battalion Commander had this advice for the Navy when they play again next year, "Join the Army."