An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

380AEW Article

Army trumps AF in July 4 showdown

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Morgan
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing and the 1-62 Air Defense Artillery Battalion celebrated Independence Day here by finishing the day with a good old-fashioned flag football game that brought more than 400 fans and ended in an overtime nail-biter.

The Army shattered the Air Force's dreams of victory in a score of 25-19 with their traditional option offense. The AF, who kept the game tight, led for three out of the four quarters but came up off-target.

With only three weeks' notice before the game, the two teams developed very different game plans.

"We came out here to try and beat the AF, to keep it safe, to keep it fun and to keep everyone happy," said Army Staff Sgt. Ceasar Guerra, coach of the Army team. "It's the fourth of July, that's what this is about."

The AF, who had practiced several times in the past week, had a game plan of solid defense, no big plays and creating turn overs.

"We want to score early and shut them out," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kevin Furedi, coach of the AF team. "I want at least three picks and a couple taken back for touchdowns."

The game started off slow, Army had some issues with their short pass game and AF had problems pulling flags. However, AF's goal of shutting Army out was shot down in just the first few minutes of the game when Army went up 7-0 with an option play.

After Army botched the ensuing kickoff, the AF quickly responded with a trick throwback double pass putting them on the goal line, where they scored the next play, but failed to convert the extra point.

Furedi's vision of interceptions looked like it might come true when the AF team picked off an Army pass, but soon gave it back with a deep pass that fell short.

In the last two minutes of the half, a rules dispute on how time was kept sent the crowd into an uproar. Despite the dispute, AF scored with a 60 yard pass right before halftime bringing the score to 13-12 AF.

The second half was highlighted by effective defense. The AF tried to keep its streak of deep passes alive, but got stuffed by Army on their first two drives. AF returned the favor on Army's first two drives of the half.

The AF eventually connected as the storm clouds gathered over the field and controversy ensued. The rules stated there would be no two point conversions, the AF team converted anyway bringing the score to 20-13 ... or so they thought.

Army got the ball back with 30 seconds left in the game. With the game on the line, they took the ball straight down the field for a touchdown but failed to convert the extra point. Thinking they had a one point victory, AF fans were shocked to find out that the game was tied 19-19.

In overtime, each team would receive four downs and the team who made it the furthest down the field or scored more points would win. Army started with the ball and after two personal fouls, they scored. AF tried to come back, but would fall short on three deep passes ending the game with Army winning 25-19.

"We enjoyed the game; it was a great game that was challenging on both sides and I have to give AF great credit," said Guerra. "I am glad both teams got the come out here and enjoy themselves, everyone out here has great camaraderie."

"We played hard and emotions ran deep, we stuck together and fought hard to the end, I am proud of my guys and appreciate Army coming out," said Furedi.