MXS fixes ACNS 33-12

The 552nd MXS racked up five touchdowns in a convincing 33-12 victory over the 552nd ACNS in week one of the fall intramural flag football season.

The 552nd Maintenance Squadron struck first Sept. 8 in an 80-yard drive capped by a 31-yard strike from quarterback Marc Bates to Alex Reeter. 

The 552nd Air Control Network Squadron fell short by 2 yards after going for first on fourth down. Coach Matt McCauley noted that the team “hadn’t worked on punting, so we figured we might as well just go for it.”

552nd MXS had no reason to complain, starting their drive on the ACNS 38. It took six plays to set up Orlando Widow for a 6-yard end zone pass. The extra point made it 14-0.

ACNS took over at their 20 with two minutes left in the second quarter. QB McCauley patched together a handoff, a scramble and a pass before lobbing a 31-yarder that bounced off the hands of two MXS defenders before falling in the arms of Donovan Garcia at the five. He trotted in for 6.

ACNS’ lack of kicking power bit them again in the second half. They turned over the ball on downs at their own 37.

MXS struck fast in a few plays. QB Bates juked through three defenders in a 19-yard jaunt for the TD. The third extra point in a row put them ahead 21-6.

ACNS unleashed a lightning fast scoring drive that was their most impressive of the game. McCauley zipped a quick pass up the middle that gained 29 yards to midfield. Paul Leavens snatched a QB handoff and ran it to the 18 for a first down.

McCauley hit ACNS’ Wayne Downing with a line drive pass up the center for an 18-yard TD. The score jumped to 21-12 MXS.

That was it for the ACNS offense. MXS took over scoring as Joshua West ran from the ACNS 31 for a touchdown. Keegan Biasi later stopped ACNS with an Oskie and Darren Massey gripped a Bates pass in the corner end zone for the 33-12 finish.

“We had a great time at the game,” ACNS’ McCauley said. “The MXS team was a tough first opponent. As a team, we’re going to continue working to execute our plays on offense. Our defense may need the most work though.”

Zach said MXS started getting serious about intramural football two years ago and aims to be a competitive team.

“Defensively, we could’ve cleaned up a few plays ... but overall I was very happy with our performance,” he said. “The offense played great and put up a lot of points and we did get a turnover on defense. Those are keys to success, especially in intramurals.”