MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The 2009 Pre-season Flag Football Tournament came to an end Oct. 2 with Five-O being crowned champions after beating the Slayers 14-6 at the Northside football field here.
Five-O took down the Slayers 14-6 after four quarters on the gridiron.
Thanks to a superb defense, Five-O controlled the ball for most of the game, eating up the clock and not letting the
Slayers have much of a chance to put any points up early.
The Slayers did have a few good plays here and there, but they were unable to capitalize on the key plays that would have put points on the board.
“The weather affected our offense a little bit with the ball being slick and traction being bad, but defense wins games and we win on defense,” said James Allen, coach, quarterback and safety for Five-O.
The Slayers high point of the game probably came at the coin toss in which they won but deferred to Five-O.
Five-O took early command of the ball in the first half, jumping to a 7-0 lead in the first two minutes and never really looked back.
Allen dropped back and looked deep to give the illusion he was going long then dumped it off to his running back, Kevin Ruidiaz, who went the distance to the end zone to set the tempo of the night.
The Slayers tried to answer back as they marched down field all the way to Five-O’s 15, but Allen’s quick reflexes and great awareness of the field allowed him to pick off a touchdown-saving pass on the one-yard line.
“Our defense is going to put us through the season,” said Ruidiaz. “We have allowed no more than eight points a game.”
Defense was the key to the championship game. Allen finished the game with four picks, two of which were touchdown savers.
“Our defense is good,” said Allen. “We have good athletes on this team, and there is really nothing we are going to change.”
Five-O came out on top despite not having much of an offensive game due to the weather, but they don’t seem to be too concerned, attributing their lack of offense to the poor playing conditions.
“This tournament is a preview of what’s going to happen this season,” said Allen. “If you want to play in the regular season, you better get ready!”