MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Wolfpack and the Coalition took to the gridiron Friday as intramural football play waged on into the night.
The teams, both from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, squared up in flag football in search of a win as others searched the Air Station for candy and scares.
The game could not escape all fear of the night as the game ended frighteningly close as the Wolfpack edged past the Coalition 8-2 at the end of the game.
Despite controlling the ball for most of the first half, the Coalition could not put the ball in the end zone. This gave the Wolfpack the chance to run a few plays before the half ended. On one of those plays, quarterback Donald Warner was able to connect with wide out Gerald Green in the end zone for six points. A two-point conversion gave the Wolfpack an 8-0 lead before the half ended.
In the second half the Wolfpack fought off penalties and played strong defense to try to keep the Coalition from scoring. As the Wolfpack was ready to punt the ball after going three and out, a bad snap caused the ball the sail over the punter?s head and out of the end zone resulting in the Coalition being awarded two points for a safety.
The Wolfpack credits its win to a good scouting report of the team they were about to play.
"We knew they had three go-to-guys," said Shelvie Edmonds, Wolfpack coach. "We had those three to shut down and we knew we could handle the rest. The game was over once we locked on to those three."
The game held more than just a victory to be sought after, bragging rights were also on the line.
"e started out as one team, then separated into the A team and the B team," said Edmonds. "Being the B team we weren't supposed to win."
The Wolfpack victory leaves them at 9-2 with four more games before the playoffs begin.
In other action around the league that night, the Tri Lams gained one in the win column after a Predators forfeit. Crash Crew came up short to Terminal Live 31-6.
Tuesday night's action included an Unstoppables forfeit doubling the S.E. Tuggers wins.Terminal Life defeated the Tri Lams 18-8.Coalition rebounded with a 32-12 win over Crash Crew.
The 2003 flag football regular season will wrap up Nov. 21, before heading into the season-ending tournament.
"Right now, each team is vying for favorable placement in the tournament bracket. All teams that finish the season will land somewhere in the bracket, but wins and losses now will determine where they end up for the tournament," said IronWorks Gym sports coordinator, Keith Carr. "As far as the season is going, everyone is showing up and having a good time. Even the teams with no wins are having fun," said Carr who added unit participation and fan support have been encouraging this season.