AFRL claims back-to-back base football titles

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  In a rematch of last year's intramural championship football game, the Air Force Research Lab defeated the 53rd Wing again to claim its second straight base title, 14-12, Nov. 10.

Unlike last year's 26-6 beat down, it took AFRL two games to claim the title in the double elimination tournament.

The 53rd Wing, still smarting from losing to AFRL early in the week, rolled through the losers' bracket to meet their rivals again in the finals. With their back to the wall, the 53rd had to win to force a second game.

In the first game, the ball moved quickly up and down the field, but most of the scoring came late in the second half. At least three of the touchdowns came in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Ultimately, it came down to the conversions after the touchdown. The 53rd Wing converted two of their extra points while AFRL converted one. The 53rd forced another game with a 20-19 victory - marking AFRL's first loss of the season and only second in the last two years.

"My hat is off to their players, they came out and gave us all we could handle in both contests," said Brian Nagle, AFRL quarterback.

The fast-moving free-for-all of the first game changed to a stalemate in the second game. The slow moving grind ended when Chris Hergenreter scored his second touchdown of the evening and gave the lead to AFRL. This game, the AFRL team took nothing for granted. The team ensured they picked up those crucial extra-point conversions - the very reason why they were playing in the second game.

The 53rd answered back, but could not convert the extra point and trailed 7-6.

With five minutes into the game, the 53rd Wing team took the lead with a touchdown reception by Tyler Dutton. The team decided to go for the two-point conversion, rather than the one, but again could not complete it.

On the next possession, AFRL quarterback, Brian Nagle, and running back/receiver Chris Hergenreter used a series of short pass plays to roll into the end zone with less than two minutes remaining. Again, they converted their extra point. The score was 14-12.

The 53rd tried to mount a drive, but their short pass-and-run style offense couldn't move faster than the ticking clock and time expired. The AFRL team and fans rushed the field as time expired hugging and congratulating them on their second title.

"We were all just relieved we pulled it out against a very talented 53rd Wing team, said Nagle. "It certainly wasn't easy, but we're very proud of the sustained success we've had and collectively decided there was no way we were giving up the title."

After dominating the base intramurals in football the last two seasons, AFRL's team captain said the team's still hungry and striving to get better.

"We were a good team that aimed to get better every week," said Tim Ager. "We were not satisfied with a win unless we were able to make improvements with every game. Winning that championship is the only thing that motivated AFRL. I don't ever want to lose another flag football game in my life."