Reserve Gold shuts out Freaks in flag football Published April 2, 2010 By John Stuart Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- It was a waiting game Tuesday night, but Reserve Gold had done its homework. Up against the Football Freaks, they just needed to execute and move the ball downfield for the 14-0 win. Finally, the game plan delivered. Although both teams turned it over on downs most of the first half, Reserve Gold found purchase late in the second quarter. Quarterback Ralph Hawkins connected with Mario "Mouse" Cruz on a 20-yard slant route to put a touchdown on the board. A botched PAT kept it at 6-0 going into half time. In the third, Tyrell Wolfe picked off an interception from Reserve Gold, his second of the game. Momentum shifted momentarily, but the Freaks continued to struggle with first down conversions and turned it over on downs. Amid seemingly gale-force Oklahoma winds, Reserve Gold stayed true to the game plan and built a final 75-yard drive with only seconds left to play in the fourth quarter. Lloyd Palmer threw the trick-play pass to Jeff Melliken over the middle. Turning on the speed, Melliken juked his way into the house on the 50-yard play. Hawkins connected with receiver Doug Rippy on the next play to snag the two-point conversion. The trick play was textbook grade, although admittedly not everything it appeared to be. "I was throwing it to someone else," Palmer said with a laugh after the game. "I don't know how (Melliken) caught it." Reserve Gold improved to 2-2 with the win.