Flag Football season kicks off, 2nd SFS ready to defend its title

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Curt Beach
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  As the temperatures begin to dip and the evening air becomes crisp, intramural flag football teams prepare to kick off their season.

For one team in particular, the expectations for success are always high.

"We're going for the championship," said Airman 1st Class Jordan McNair, 2nd Security Forces Squadron cornerback. "It's what we do."

The only blemish on the team's record last season was a 13-12 loss to the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in the double-elimination playoffs, which they quickly avenged by defeating 2nd AMXS in a sudden death game by a score of 13-0.

"It'll be tougher this year because we lost a lot of players due to PCSs and TDYs," said Senior Airman Andrew Outwater, 2nd SFS quarterback.

For a team that prides itself on its hard-nosed defense, clock control and forcing turnovers, this year's SFS team enters the season with a few question marks.

"On defense we only have one player out of eight coming back from last year," said Outwater.  "We try not to play both ways so that we can conserve our energy, but when it comes down to getting wins, we might have to."

In addition to the gaps left on defense, the team lost their captain from last year.

"Capt. Mike Piernick left some big shoes to fill," said McNair. "He used to play linebacker, wide receiver, really wherever we needed somebody.  He was pretty versatile but we just have to put another athlete in that spot and find a way to overcome."

Just because they may have to make some adjustments doesn't mean the SFS team has lowered its expectations. The goal remains the same.

"Of course we're playing for the championship, I guarantee it," said Outwater.

McNair agrees.

"We're going to continue to do what we always do: show up, play our game, and we shouldn't have any worries," said McNair.

Whether the SFS team is in a rebuilding year or not, their opposition won't be giving them any breaks.

"Be prepared for MUNS to come strong. That's the only thing I can say," said Senior Airman Jeanne Rhoads, 2nd Munitions Squadron team captain.

The MUNS team has been practicing hard and plans on making a deep playoff run of their own, and knocking off any team that gets it their way. 

"Our keys to success are teamwork, planning and playing a better, smarter game," said Rhoads.

Outwater says stopping the 2nd SFS gridiron dynasty will not come easily, and they don't plan on letting go of their five-year reign.

"Everyone tried to stop us last year and each of the last five years, and it still hasn't worked," he said. "Good luck."

Whether you're rooting for SFS, MUNS, AMXS, or someone else, this year's flag football season is bound to be an entertaining one.