Watch what you say, look who is in the loser’s bracket

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
The term "All talk and no action," must have been coined for Intramural Flag Football teams like the 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 728th Air Mobility Squadron. Despite having the two best records in the regular season, and having a bye in the first round, both teams find themselves in the loser's bracket and fighting for their playoff lives in tonight's football action.

Since 39th LRS and 728th AMS both had a bye in the first round of the playoffs they waited patiently as the 39th Security Forces Squadron battled the 39th Medical Group and 39th Contraction Squadron/39th Civil Engineer Squadron took on the 39th Maintenance Squadron.

The 39th SFS won a hard fought 27-21 battle as the 39th CON/CES eased its way to a 24-13 win over the 39th MXS.

The second round of games was set as the favored and rested 39th LRS squad took on the 39th SFS. As the tooth and nail battle ensued between the two teams the lower-seeded 39th SFS prevailed 20-19 after a tough game.

"Tough game," said Staff Sgt. Erik Blanco, 39th SFS head coach. "We haven't had all of our players at one game all year due to mission requirements. We had them during the playoffs and will continue to have them the rest of the way."

Now in the winner's bracket the 39th SFS feel they are in their rightful position to win the base championship.

"Everyone slept on us because we went into the playoffs with four losses including the base's Web site, they didn't even mention us on Incirlik Now," said Blanco. "Not one time was the 39th SFS mentioned. LRS wanted to see Ohio State and Michigan play. How about you let us know how you do in the loser's bracket verses MXS. LRS is all mouth and no athletes. They should get Lil' John to mail them some crunk juice, as a matter of fact, we'll even pay the shipping and handling costs since we didn't have to pay the refs to get our win over them."

The No. 2 seeded 728th AMS squad didn't fair any better in their first game either as they fell to an underdog CON/CES team 19-13. Unmentioned and uncared about as contenders for the base's Intramural football crown, CONS/CES prefers it that way.

"That was a hard fought win we got over them and the playoffs have been ecxiting this year," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Albrecht, CON/CES player. "We as a team are proud to be the underdogs and the silent team coming up through the winner's bracket. With all the trash talking that has taken place our team has taken the position to be silent and provide no comment. We will let other teams fuel us along the way."

With both the 39th LRS and 728th AMS's seasons on the line tonight the 39th SFS feel confident with their team at full strength and the support of their fans that the championship is well within their grasp.

"LRS and AMS were supposedly the teams to beat this year and with our team at full force I could guarantee we would have beaten AMS by more than the six points CONS/CES did," said Blanco. "I'd like to thank all the personnel in our unit for showing support even if it is raining and 50 degrees outside. With all of our pieces in place we will win the base championship this year."

Intramural flag football playoff action continues 6 p.m., Nov. 8, at the flag football field inside the track, come and watch the survival of the fittest tonight.


2006 Intramural Flag Football Schedule (playoffs)

Nov. 6 results
(1) SFS 27 vs. MDG 21
(2) CONS/CES 24 vs. MXS 13

Nov. 7 results
(3) LRS 19 vs. SFS 20
(4) AMS 13 vs. CONS/CES 19

Nov. 8 -- Tonight's loser's bracket elimination games
(5) 6 p.m. MDG vs. AMS
(6) 7 p.m. MXS vs. LRS

Nov. 9
(7) 6 p.m. Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner
(8) 7 p.m. SFS vs. CONS/CES

Nov. 13
(9) 6 p.m. Game 8 Winner vs. Game 7 Loser

Nov. 14
(10) 6 p.m. Game 7 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner
(11) 7:30 p.m. - If Winner of game 9 wins there will be a second game to determine the Base Champion.