TOP STORY>>Close call for 19th EMS

By Airman 1st Class Regina Agoha
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

With similar records, the 19th Equipment Maintenance Squadron with one loss and the 19th Communications Squadron with two, both teams played with victory in mind. This was the first time these two teams have met on the gridiron to compete against each other, which made the desire to win even greater. Offensively, both teams brought the heat from beginning to end, scoring touchdowns one after another, but in the end, time and a strong determination gave the 19th EMS a final touchdown and the win 38-33.

The 19th EMS scored the first seven points of the game with a touchdown and one-point conversion. Their lead however, was short lived when the 19th CS answered back with two back-to-back touchdowns, one being a 50-yard run. A 19th EMS wide receiver returned the 19th CS’s answer with a 40-yard reception touchdown. At the end of the first half, the 19th CS scored one last touchdown and got the additional one-point conversion to take the lead 20-19.

During halftime, the teams regrouped and discussed strategies on what their game plan was for going into the second half. Barry Wertz, 19th EMS coach, said his team was hanging in there, but they were in trouble defensively. He also said the 19th CS was pretty good, but he believed in his team and that they would come out on top. Danny Bise, 19th CS coach, said his team was playing well, but they needed to get everyone involved. He also said he thought the other team was doing a good job.

During the second half, the intensity magnified as the coaches’ passion for victory increased. Taking command of their teams, both coaches pushed their teams to work harder offensively, as well as defensively.

Back and forth, both offenses continued to dominate. The final minutes had the 19th CS still in the lead with 33-32. Not giving up, Wertz threw a two-yard pass to a 19th EMS receiver, Brett Meyers, who made the touchdown.

With less than two minutes in the game, the 19th CS drove down the field and had shot to win it. The final few attempts from the quarterback weren’t successful, one falling short and the other being over thrown. The 19th EMS took the ball back with a turnover on downs and ran out the clock for a 38-33 win.

“Offensively, we did really well,” said Wertz. “Defensively, we did what we had to do, but we need work. We played really weak. I told my team to stay together. I told them that if we could keep the 19th CS’s fast quarterback in the pocket and make him pass the ball, we would win.”