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Spangdahlem takes third in USAFE Flag football championship

  • Published
  • By Joyce Costello
  • USAG Livorno Public Affairs
CAMP DARBY, Italy --  CAMP DARBY, Italy -- Ten Air Force unit-level flag football teams traveled across Europe to Camp Darby, Italy, for the first combined U.S. Air Forces in Europe flag football championship Nov. 12-16.

Divided into two pools, the top contenders in the semifinals were the 86th Communication Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, 31st Security Forces Squadron from Aviano Air Base, 52nd Logistic Readiness Squadron from Spangdahlem Air Base and 731st Munitions Squadron from Camp Darby.

Ramstein beat Aviano 27- 6 and Camp Darby beat Spangdahlem 26-7 leaving Aviano and Spangdahlem to fight for third. Spangdahlem beat Aviano 6-0 in overtime.

"We had to overcome individual injuries and going into overtime was very stressful, but we played together, we played smart and we left it on the field," said Capt. Trey Doby, Spangdahlem receiver.

"We were out there fighting for third, and by reading the different defense, I was able to get the extra point diversion," added Darrell Knight, Spangdahlem quarterback.

Finals went to double overtime, and Ramstein beat Camp Darby 20-19 securing the coveted title of USAFE Flag Football Champions for 2009.

"We were on the verge of being defeated earlier in the tournament and were able to bounce back and take first," said Staff Sgt. Randy McGinnis, Ramstein's quarterback. "Going into double overtime was very stressful, but it taught me a valuable lesson to trust your teammates in overtime. If we could score then the offense would look after us to clinch the victory."

The Camp Darby team, which had only been playing together for a week, played some impressive defense, added McGinnis.

"It was a challenging tournament as we had 99 percent of our guys playing both ways with only one guy to substitute in, and we normally practice against each other and not as a team," said Staff Sgt. Johnny Escobar, Camp Darby's quarterback. "It was hard work, but we stuck through it and played some amazing games.

Thomas Burkett, USAFE sports director, said the camaraderie between the teams was outstanding, and that is what military sports is about. He added that the tournament will be held at Camp Darby again next year.
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