FORT BELOVOIR, Va. -- In the Army chain of command, enlisted Soldiers usually don't have the chance to get back at their commanding officers, but once a year at Fort Belvoir, the command team faces off with their men as equals on the football field.
The annual Eagle Bowl flag football game was held Nov. 25 at Pullen Field with the winner receiving the 2009 Eagle Bowl trophy and bragging rights for the year.
This year's game was dampened by drizzly skies and a rain-soaked field. A constant mist fell throughout the game, making the field one big mud pit.
In last year's game, the Officers won with a hard fought 19-7 victory, but this year, the Soldiers avenged the loss with a thorough 54-6 win.
For Spc. Joseph Ladnier, from the 212th Military Police Detachment, the rainy conditions added to the experience and competitive atmosphere.
"It was a real good game for us," Ladnier said. "The Officers got blown out, but sometimes that happens."
The nasty weather and poor field conditions did nothing to slow down the Soldiers passing game. In fact, they resembled the New Orleans Saints' high-powered offense, instead of a bunch of Soldiers just playing for fun.
They seemed to score at will with an aerial attack that couldn't be stopped.
In an effort to control the clock, the Officers relied on a run-based offense that failed to couldn't move the chains consistently.
Headquarters Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Kevin McKenna made sure to spoil the shutout for his men with a long touchdown run in the closing minutes of the second half.
Despite the lopsided score, it was a fun atmosphere for all involved as the players seemed to enjoy the rainy and muddy conditions. Players were all smiles as they came off the field soaking wet and caked in mud.
"I had a great time doing this," Ladnier said. "I got to push my company commander into the mud, so it was a real good time."
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