Reserve White claims title with OT field goal Published May 14, 2010 By John Stuart Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Chris "Monty" Montalbano watched in horror as his 18-yard field goal attempt went flat then wide left. He missed it. The game was over. Wait. No. He had one more chance. It was overtime in the spring flag football championship game May 6 and Montalbano, the go-to bootsman for Reserve White, had a second chance at greatness. "I was just telling myself it was an extra point," Montalbano said. If only the whole game -- and with it a chance at upsetting the defending league champion Gym Rats -- weren't riding precariously on his right foot, then those words wouldn't be too far off. But as Montalbano lined up on fourth down from the same spot for the second try, this time was different. "The first time I kicked it too hard. The second time I just kicked it a little easier," he said. It was do or do not for the kicker and whatever Jedi mind tricks he summoned, they worked. Montalbano reared back and booted the pigskin through the uprights. Reserve White had claimed the spring title in a close 17-14 overtime win, topping the ever competitive Gym Rats. In a game that has turned into "the rivalry," according to league organizer Ralph "Hawk" Hawkins, it didn't disappoint for action. White finishes the season 9-2, while the Rats slipped to 9-3. For all purposes, the Rats had victory in the bag. They were up 14-0 at the beginning of the second half, buoyed by Taylor Lamar's 20-yard scamper into the end zone on the first drive. Mixing up the playbook, the Rats were going to a covey of fresh formations, with receiver Cody Brooks taking some direct snaps or with the team lining up six wide with no blockers. But eventually White came alive. So did their offense. On their first drive of the second half the Goliath-esque Brandon Thompson hauled in a four-yard touchdown pass over the middle for White's first touchdown. Montalbano's good PAT made it 14-7. "Inconceivable," the Gym Rats seemed to say. But White was on a roll. The very next drive, White's Brian VanCuren made the play that would turn the game around. Picking off Rats quarterback Tony Salafia on the first play from scrimmage, he ran it back to the 20. Only four plays later White was back in it as Thompson caught his second touchdown pass of the night in double coverage. Montalbano's good PAT made it 14-14 and it was no longer inconceivable. White was in it for the win. So it all came down to the overtime kick by Montalbano. Coming up with the stop on the opening overtime drive, White allowed the Rats to push to the eight yard line before shutting them down when Thompson blocked a field goal attempt on fourth down. Next it was White's turn, who took two plays to sidle into position at the 16 where they set the yoke squarely on Montalbano for the win. Turns out he's more than qualified for the job. "I didn't want to let my teammates down," Montalbano said. "I can't explain it, it just feels good to come away with the win." It's safe to say he spoke for the whole team.