Reserve White sets back defending champions

Published May 13, 2016
By John Parker
Staff Writer

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Reserve White engineered a solid game May 10 to shut out the No. 2 seed AMXS Eagles, who were playing without their starting quarterback.

No. 3 seed Reserve White scored touchdowns in each half to finish 13-0.
After initial three and outs by both teams, Reserve White launched a 74-yard scoring drive from their own 26 with three first downs on the way.

Key plays included quarterback/coach Ralph "Hawk" Hawkins' 11-yard connection to Larry Mansell to the Eagles' 30. Floyd Conner later pulled down an 18-yarder at the two.

AMXS forced White to fight for the next three plays, setting them back to the three yard line. Reserve White delivered a clutch play on fourth down as Hawkins zipped a quick pass to Mansell just past the goal line. A Hawkins kick made it 7-0.

AMXS failed to convert on their next possession, but Jonathon Burton kicked the longest punt of the game - 45 yards. From the 46, Reserve White stalled and punted on fourth down.

The Eagles were allowed only four plays with halftime approaching. Quarterback Cole Bradley tossed a short pass to Corey Brookin around the 10 yard line and he turned it into an impressive run to the 42 on the last play of the half.

Co-captain Adam Hall stepped in as QB in the second half. He broke out of the gate with a 24-yard strike to Joey Peace. The drive reached midfield but a Reserve White sacked knocked them back to the 40 and forced a punt.

Conner helped Reserve White break out from the AMXS 30 yard line as he caught a short pass and ran the ball to the Eagles' 36.

Three plays later, Reserve White razzle-dazzled for a second TD. Hawkins passed to Mansell in the flat behind the scrimmage line. Mansell stopped and lofted the ball to Conner near the goal line. His short trot scored six. White's try for two fizzled with an incomplete.

The Eagles followed up with their longest drive of the match. Hall put together a march that included his own 23-yard scramble to Reserve White's 42 yard line. The 47-yard drive ended on the 33 with a failed fourth-down conversion. The game was called at the two-minute mark because White was up by two scores.

Hawkins said the Eagles were hurt by the unavoidable absence of their main quarterback, Marc Bates.

"He's a really good quarterback," he said. "The rest of the guys did what they could, but he's the money man. He makes things go."

Hall said the offense lost much of its efficiency, rhythm and timing without Bates.
"He is our pacemaker and his ability to think on his feet was a great quality to have at QB," Hall said. "Our defense wasn't affected as bad ... but our defense is our team's strong point and we are resilient and will pick up the slack both on offense and defense.

"One loss won't keep us down. We are the defending champs from the fall season and will keep trucking through the rest of the playoffs."

Six teams alive in playoffs

Tuesday's Spring Flag Football League playoff games eliminated the Swamp Donkeys and 552 MXS and whittled the field to six teams.

The remaining contenders are Med Group (No. 1 seed), AMXS (2), Reserve White (3), Reserve Gold (4), SCMS (5) and SFS (7).

Reserve Gold topped Med Group 17-3 on Tuesday. Reserve White blanked AMXS 13-0. SCMS knocked out the Swamp Donkeys 12-0. SFS eliminated MXS 9-6.

Round three will involve four games next Tuesday at the athletic field north of the dorms. AMXS plays SCMS at 5:15 p.m.; Med Group takes on SFS at 6:15 p.m.; and Reserve Gold goes against Reserve White at 7:15 p.m.

The winners of the 5:15 and 6:15 p.m. games will play at 8:15.