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Intramural Football: 72nd OSS wins overtime thriller

  • Published
  • By John E. Banks
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  The only flag football game Oct. 12 at the Tinker Sports Complex pitted the 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron the 72nd Operational Support Squadron Thunderhawks. Both teams were prepared for an intense battle and the Thunderhawks came out victorious in overtime by virtue of yardage gained.
   "We are looking to continue our modest two-game win streak tonight, but it will difficult because our opponent is one of the better teams in the league," said Justin Hackbarth, 72nd OSS quarterback and head coach.
   "We need to win to keep our lead in the standings, we would like to be 5-1 after the game is over," said Christian Snow, 964th AACS head coach.
   The first half was a mighty defensive struggle with both teams being able to crank up the defensive pressure and keep both offenses off the scoreboard. Key plays were made by 964th AAC defensive tackle John Aquino who able to register two quarterback sacks and three tackles for loss.
   Equally as impressive was the play of 72nd OSS defensive back Chad Hotvedt who was able to intercept one pass while deflecting four other pass attempts which thwarted offensives by the 964th AACS side.
   "We really tried to keep their receivers in check thus allowing us to utilize our speed to play this style of defense," said Hackbarth.
   The stars of the first half were 964th AACS quarterback Eric Reynosa who completed 7 of 10 passes for a total of 98 yards and also carried the ball three times for 24 yards. The 72nd OSS first half star was quarterback Justin Hackbarth who completed 5 of 10 passes for 85 yards and had a spectacular 35-yard punt return.
   "Come on guys, we made a few mistakes in the first half, let's keep up the intensity and take this game in the second half," said Snow.
   The second half was much of the same as in the first half with both defenses keeping control of the game.
   With 2:00 remaining in the ball game, Hackbarth and his Thunderhawks teammates tried to put together a game winning drive but were thwarted by the pressure of Aquino and the spirited play of 964th AACS defensive back Thomas Allen.
   Allen deflected two passes that surely would have lead to first downs by the Thunderhawks.
   The score was knotted at 0-0 at the end of regulation and outcome would be determined by which team netted the most yards gained and most points scored on four offensive plays.
   The offensive of the 72nd OSS Thunderhawks netted 38 yards with no points scored. The final outcome was determined after the 964th AACS gained 22 yards on their first three plays. They attempted a 48-yard field goal. Michael Bates was confident he would make it, but unfortunately it sailed wide right giving the victory to the resurgent 72nd OSS squad. 
   The star of the game for the 964th AACS was wide receiver Bates who caught five passes for a total of 84 yards. The star for the winning Thunderhawks was Hackbarth who completed 11 of 19 asses for 165 yards. He also intercepted one pass while playing stellar defensively.
   "Our key to victory was sticking together on defense and playing as a team. This is awesome to have a three-game win streak," said Hackbarth.
   The win, their third in a row, improved the 72nd OSS Thunderhawks to 3-2 on the season while the loss dropped the 964th AACS to 4-2.