962nd wins 2008 football championship

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Ludvik
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron soared past the 381st Intelligence Squadron 15-12, for the Elmendorf Air Force Base flag football championship held here Oct. 9. 

In order for the 962nd to win the championship, they needed to beat the undefeated 381st twice. 

In the first game, the 381st, lead by Adam Crow, husband of Senior Airman Lauren Crow, scored the first touchdown to give them the early lead and the only score of the first half. The 962nd and quarterback 1st Lt. Sean McGarvey received the ball in the second half and was able to come back with a mix of running and passing to cut the lead 7-6. 

On the next drive by the 381st, Mr. Crow was intercepted by Capt. Ronnie Evans which helped setup the final touchdown pass to Airman 1st Class Zeverick Wilson. 

"I thought the interception happened at the perfect time. The weather outside was nasty, everyone was freezing, and we had to beat this team twice in order to win the base championship. The opposing team was effectively driving the ball down the field, and had gotten within scoring position," said Captain Evans. "The interception definitely seemed to change our momentum for the better and thankfully we were able to win the game." 

In the second game the 962nd picked up right where they left off with more combinations of running and passing by Lieutenant McGarvey including a quarterback sneak on a third and goal play to end the half at 13-0. On the opening drive of the second half, the 381st was able to edge back into the game with their first score on a fourth and goal play. With the game clock starting to wine down, the 381st was able to make a crucial stop and try for a game tying score. After the next score they went for the two point conversion and the tie. Airman Wilson was able to make the last big play for the 962nd by intercepting and return it for the final points of the game bringing home a 15-13 win. 

"I think we played together as a team and we had great leaders out there on the field when it was time to play. We played hard for each other and we only had one goal the whole season; to win the championship. That's what we did," said Airman Wilson looking back on the season. "We said it the whole year, we didn't think anybody was better than us and if we play together we wouldn't get beat. That's what we did, so that's why the hardware belongs to the 962 AACS."