MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Dec. 3) -- Marine Helicopter Squadron 1’s flag football team pulled off a flawless victory against Headquarters and Service Battalion’s team, 18-0, during the first round of the American League intramural flag football playoffs on Dec. 3.
HMX-1’s big playmaking and flexible defense stopped H&SBn.’s quick footwork in their tracks and showed them that defense wins championships.
The game started off rough for both teams. H&S Bn. had first possession and pushed deep toward the end zone, but HMX-1’s defensive coverage was tight. Just shy of the end zone, on their 4th down, H&SBn.’s quarterback threw away a pass for the turnover.
HMX-1’s offense did not build on the slight momentum they had gained, and after a few short rushes with little gains, they kicked back to their opponents.
At the end of the first quarter the score remained 0-0.
At the beginning of the second quarter, H&SBn. steadily moved up the field, but HMX-1’s players seemed to be everywhere at once. H&SBn.’s quarterback tossed a short pass which was ruthlessly swatted down.
With two minutes left in the quarter, H&SBn. threw a deep pass, going for the first score of the game, but was intercepted by HMX-1.
On the next play, Justin Topping, HMX-1’s quarterback, fell into the pocket looking for a clear pass and was sacked for a big loss.
Topping, trying to recoup some of the yards lost and snag a first down, threw a deep pass, but it was incomplete and finished out first half with the score at H&SBn. 0, HMX-1 0.
“Our defense is going strong,” shouted Zack Doty, head coach for HMX-1’s team. “Now let’s get our offense in this game.”
HMX-1 began the second half with bad passing, but managed to score the first touchdown of the game on their fourth down and bring the score to 6-0.
H&SBn.’s possession was short and HMX-1’s defense put an end to any momentum their opponents built up play after play. H&SBn. turned the ball over once more on the 30-yard line.
Topping passed the ball for HMX-1’s second touchdown of the game and brought the score to 12 – 0.
H&SBn., once again, could not move the ball forward due to HMX-1.’s solid defense and turned the ball over on downs.
After two good back-to-back deep passes, Topping tossed the ball to Doty who rushed past defender after defender for the third and final touchdown of the game.
“We won this game with straight defense,” Doty said. “We’re second seed in the playoffs this year for a reason.”
HMX-1’s next game will be against their rival team, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, the defending champions. M&RA defeated HMX-1 during the regular season, but the playoffs may have different results, according to Doty.
“The defense definitely won the game for us,” said Jarrett Hawkins, a player for HMX-1. “Tonight, [our opponents] played a team that put up points. Numbers speak louder than words and defense wins championships.”
Correspondent: paris.capers@usmc.mil