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Intramural Football: Thunderhawks secure playoff spot

  • Published
  • By John E. Banks
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  After starting the season 0-2, the 72nd Operational Support Squadron Thunderhawks are on a winning streak and have secured a spot in the 2007 flag football playoffs. Their fourth consecutive win was a 14-6 victory over the Guard Dogs Oct. 18 at the Tinker Sports Complex.
   The Guard Dogs came out firing on their first drive. Quarterback Larry Mansell completed four consecutive passes for 45 yards, putting his team in scoring position.
   Mansell then rushed for another 20 yards, placing the Guard Dogs on the Thunderhawks 5-yard line. Mansell fired a strike to wide receiver Ben Cowart for the game's opening score.
   The Thunderhawks offense took the field and Justin Hackbarth marched his team 80 yards in eight plays. Hackbarth rushed three times for 22 yards and completed four of five passes for 63 yards. The drive was culminated with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Hackbarth to tight end Clint Staton. The ensuing extra point by kicker Chad Hotvedt made the score 7-6 heading into halftime.
   "Our key in the first half was be able to sustain our offense and our defense making key defensive stops," said Hackbarth.
   The second half was more of a defensive struggle as both defenses stepped up the intensity and pressure. Both quarterbacks found it difficult to move their offenses on a consistent basis.
   The third quarter yielded no scoring and the Thunderhawks took the 7-6 lead into the fourth.
   The fourth quarter was highlighted by a 60-yard scramble and run by Hackbarth, which ignited the entire Thunderhawks team. He then delivered his second touchdown pass to Will Chiaffino. The extra point by Hotvedt was successful, giving the Thunderhawks a 14-6 advantage with 2:00 remaining in the contest.
   The Thunderhawks defense stayed strong and shut down their opposition, giving them the 14-6 victory.
   "This is awesome, we started poorly early in the year, but we rebounded and are now on a four-game win streak heading to the playoffs," said Hackbarth.
Mansell, who completed 11 of 19, passes for 156 yards and rushed six times for 65 yards, was the player of the game for the Guard Dogs. The player of the game for Thunderhawks was Hackbarth who completed 9 of 17 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran six times for 84 yards.
   The win improved the 72nd OSS Thunderhawks to 4-2 on the season while the loss dropped the Guard Dogs to 3-4.