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Intramural Football: 552nd OSS survives rally, defeats Marines 14-7

  • Published
  • By John E. Banks
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  The match up between the 552nd Operational Support Squadron and the Marines was a hard fought game with the 552nd OSS staving off a late rally to capture a 14-7 victory on Oct 24.
   The defenses of both sides dominated the play in the first quarter of action.
   The second quarter the 552nd OSS quarterback Devon Taylor led his offense down the field on an 80-yard drive with pin-point passing. He completed six of nine passes for 65 yards on the drive. The drive ended in the end zone when he completed a 22 yard pass to wide receiver Jeremy Smith who immediately pitched the ball to running back Danario Yates who scampered into the end zone. The ensuing extra point was good as Yates darted from his backfield into the end zone. This gave the 552nd OSS an early 8-0 advantage.
   The 552nd OSS then turned the tables as Smith intercepted a pass giving the ball right back to the 552nd OSS side. They took full advantage of the turnover and Yates scampered in from five yards out giving the 552nd OSS side a 14-0 advantage at halftime.
   The Marines regrouped at halftime in order to get back in the game.
   "We need to score. We are needing to run quicker plays," said Stephen Escalante, quarterback for the Marines.
   "We have had trouble scoring all year, however I think the second half of tonight's game will be a lot different," said Clint Eads, head coach for the Marines.
   The Marines started on an 80-yard drive of their own, which was highlighted by a 60-yard reception by wide receiver Tony Pagliuco. The ensuing extra point was successful as Escalante kicked the ball through the uprights cutting the lead to 14-7.
   The remainder of the contest was hard fought and intense. The Marines were able to get the ball with 2:00 remaining to see if they could tie the score. They moved the ball, but were unable to punch it across the goal line.
   The win propelled the 552nd OSS to a 6-1 record, while the loss dropped the Marines to 0-6 on the season.
   The player of the game for the 552nd OSS was Yates who rushed 11 times for 85 yards and a touchdown, while also catching three passes for 35 yards and a touchdown.
   The player of the game for the Marines was Escalante who completed 11 of 20 passes for 145 yards with a touchdown. He also rushed the ball five times for 75 yards.