Intramural football playoffs: Beastly defense cripples Cowboys

By Jeremy Wise, Army Flier StaffJanuary 7, 2010

Intramural football playoffs: Beastly defense cripples Cowboys
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Intramural football playoffs: Beastly defense cripples Cowboys
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FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- On the open range of Fort Rucker Physical Fitness Facility's football field, the Cowboys could not wrangle the high-powered Beast Squad offense, falling 30-7 in an elimination intramural football game Dec. 17.

While the 164th Theater Airfield Operations Group "Beast Squad" offense hummed most of the contest, the defense stole the spotlight early, registering two sacks.

On the Cowboys' second drive, the Beast Squad's defense stepped up again when Arthur Jackson intercepted an Antoine Griffin pass and returned it to the 10-yard line.

On the next play, quarterback Reginald Dukes kept the pigskin on an option play and raced into the end zone for the contest's first score. The conversion failed, but the Beast Squad led 6-0.

After both traded possessions without scoring, the Cowboys of C Company, 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment, mounted a seven-play, 48-yard scoring drive. The possession ended when Griffin connected with a wide receiver on an 18-yard scoring strike. After the extra point, the Cowboys led 7-6.

TAOG's offense wasted little time in finding its stride, responding with another score. Quarterback Robert Kilow worked the ball down the field methodically, ending the eight-play drive with a 2-yard sneak. The Beast Squad did not convert the two-point try but led 12-7 at halftime.

Beast Squad's offense continued the hot play after the break, scoring in four plays. Kilow struck Denzler Thomas with a 23-yard touchdown pass, pushing the TAOG advantage to 18-7.

After the defense shut down the Cowboys again, Kilow ended a three-play drive when he connected with a receiver on a 7-yard touchdown throw. The extra point failed, but Beast Squad led 24-7.

TAOG notched its final score when Jordan Thibodeaux took a screen pass and rumbled 40 yards for a touchdown, making the final score 30-7.

Cowboys Head Coach Wayne St. John said personnel changes late in the intramural season led to some success in the playoffs, but the TAOG defense proved to be too much for his team.

"We couldn't make our short plays. Having two turnovers doesn't help," he said. "We played a team that wanted it more."

Maureen Jones, an offensive lineman, said while she takes pride in playing on offense, all team members enjoy seeing the whole team succeed.

"As a team player, I would say we look forward to each other coming off the field with success. Without each other we can't have team. The pride we have and share is in our team," she said.

After taking an early loss in the playoffs, Beast Squad rallied to make the semifinals as of Jan. 5. Head coach Jarvis Williams said weather delays created a long layoff in the playoffs, and his team did not respond well to the situation. Since then, the team has practiced more to keep loose and in rhythm, contributing to the team's success.