FORT BENNING, GA - After being forced out of the winner's bracket semifinals of the Commander's Cup Preseason Flag Football Tournament, the MEDDAC Dawgs fought back through the loser's bracket to face a familiar foe - the Goonz of the 598th Maintenance Company.
This time the outcome favored the Dawgs as they came away with two consecutive victories in the double elimination tournament to win the preseason title Aug. 27 at Essebagger Field.
"Coming from the loser's bracket we knew we had a hard game - we had to beat them twice," said MEDDAC's Chris Thomas who scored three touchdowns against the Goonz. "After the first game, I knew we had to get up on them early in the game again and show them we could beat them. They beat us last year in the postseason championship so there was a little rivalry."
In game one the Goonz took a 6-0 lead after a Lamar Williams touchdown, but the lead was short-lived when Dawgs' John Spaulding scored and with the one-point conversion, the Dawgs led 7-6. Thomas added to the Dawgs lead with the first of his three touchdowns on a 10-yard run to seal the game for the Dawgs forcing the second game.
The Dawgs began the second game with Raymond Wilhelm throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Thomas and with Thomas' one-point conversion, led 7-0.
Wilhelm threw two more touchdown passes to Jorge Santiago and Thomas and the Dawgs scored a one-point conversion in the first half to lead 20-0.
The Dawgs allowed a safety in the second half, but won 20-2, earning the championship title and bragging rights.
"We played as a team - when a mistake was made, nobody got down," said Dawgs' coach Phillip Moore. "I am happy about the win but I have another mission for the team and that's winning the post season championship."
Both teams, along with all Fort Benning flag football teams, kicked off the regular season this week.
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