SOCES squeaks past opponent

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE — The 27th Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron intramural football team barely skated by the 27th Special Operations Communications Squadron, winning in overtime with a score of 36-36 to become the 2007 Cannon Intramural Flag Football champions.

“It wasn’t about if were going to win, it was about how,” said SOCES player Jonathan Johnson.

SOCES came in with the advantage of only having to win one game, while SOCS had lost earlier in the double-elimination playoffs, leaving them between a rock and a hard place.

After SOCS lost earlier in the week, they dominated the loser’s bracket, bringing them to the championship game versus SOCES.

“During the season (SOCS was) a good team, and they showed it in the playoffs,” said SOCES coach Nick Atencio.

SOCES put points on the board first, scoring a touchdown and the extra point with a kick. SOCS returned the touchdown with one of their own, but failed to get any extra points.

The game from then on went back and forth like a game of table tennis. SOCS was up 22-20, when SOCES quarterback Larry Boyd threw a touchdown pass that was intercepted by Bryan Karason, putting the ball back in SOCS hands.

“It was a very competitive game, as I anticipated,” said SOCS coach Bradley Luu.

SOCS scored again, giving them a decent lead, but SOCES was having none of it and brought it back again, leaving SOCS up by two with a score of 30-28.

With time counting down SOCES scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion giving them a lead of six. Only four plays remained in the game, giving SOCS four chances to move the ball downfield.

Erik Cardenas, the SOCS quarterback, didn’t flinch as he threw passes downfield, hitting Craig Maguire and Karason. Two plays remained as SOCS brought the ball within range for a goal.

They were within five yards with one play left, when a penalty was called on them, pushing them back away from the goal line.

With one play left, Cardenas hit his man to score and tie the game at 36-36. SOCS went for the kick, which fell low and was blocked by the SOCES defensive line, sending the game into overtime.

Winning overtime, which is eight plays with each team having one play back and forth, is determined by who gets the ball further downfield.

SOCS pushed the ball downfield, when, with two plays left, SOCES got just past the 50-yard line on SOCS’ side of the field. With their last play, Cardenas, who only needed a few yards, decided to go big or go home sending the ball soaring downfield towards Karason.

The ball hit dirt, making SOCES the 2007 champions.

“Both teams played very well and (SOCES) came out on top,” said Coach Luu.