TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- The 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron flag football team opened the 2007 season with a 14-0 victory over the Navy's Fleet Reconnaissance Squadron THREE in intramural football action Sept. 5.
   The game started with both sides hyped for victory.
   The 960th AACS got the ball first, but was unable to mount a lasting drive. The VQ-3 experienced the same dilemma as the opposing defense thwarted their first offensive possession.
   At the start of the second quarter, Tim Stevens, the 960th AACS quarterback, methodically marched his offense down the field with pinpoint accuracy to receivers Nelson Rodriguez and Philip Walters.
   The game's first touchdown came with 6 minutes remaining in the first half on a 20-yard pass from Stevens to Rodriguez. Stevens hooked up with Walters, who made a remarkable catch between two VQ-3 defenders, for the two-point conversion making the score 8-0.
   On the ensuing possession, Alex Carter, the 960th AACS captain and linebacker, intercepted an errant pass by Nick Jones, giving the 960th AACS the ball at the opponents' 35-yard line.
   Stevens then directed a short drive, which culminated in a 15-yard touchdown throw to Walters making the score 14-0 at halftime.
   "We need to clean up our defense and stay focused in the second half," said Tony Cohen, head coach and wide receiver for the VQ-3 squad.
   The turning point in the game was a defensive stand by the 960th AACS, stopping the VQ-3 team at its 3-yard line with less than 3 minutes to play.
   "We played our game offensively and defensively," Carter said.
   Stevens, who completed 19 of 24 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns and one interception, was the offensive star of the game for the 960th AACS. VQ-3 quarterback Jones was the offensive star of the game for his team. He was 9 for 15 passing for 155 yards and had five rushes for an additional 75 yards.