King Comm conquers USAFE Flag Football Championship

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  • By 86th Airlift Wing public affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Members from the 86th Communications Squadron, "King Comm," conquered Europe when they defeated the 731st Munitions Squadron, "Camp Darby," in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Flag Football Championship held at Camp Darby, Italy, Nov. 12 through 16.

Finals went into double overtime, and Ramstein beat Camp Darby 20-19, securing them the coveted title of USAFE Flag Football Champions for 2009.

"We were on the verge of being defeated earlier in the tournament and were able to bounce back and take first," said Randy McGinnis, Ramstein's quarterback. "Going into double overtime was very stressful, but it taught me a valuable lesson to trust your teammates in overtime. If we could score, then the offense would look after us to clinch the victory."

The Camp Darby team, which had only been playing together for a week, played some impressive defense, McGinnis added.

"It was a challenging tournament as we had 99 percent of our guys playing both ways with only one guy to substitute in, and we normally practice against each other and not as a team," said Johnny Escobar, Camp Darby's quarterback. "It was hard work, but we stuck through it and played some amazing games.

Ten Air Force unit-level flag football teams traveled across Europe to Camp Darby for the first combined USAFE Flag football championship. Divided into two pools, the top contenders in the semifinals were Team Comm; the 31st Security Forces Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy; the 52nd Logistic Readiness Squadron from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany; and Camp Darby.

Ramstein beat Aviano 27- 6 and Camp Darby beat Spangdahlem 26-7, leaving Aviano and Spangdahlem to fight for third. Spangdahlem beat Aviano 6-0 in overtime.

"We had to overcome individual injuries and going into overtime was very stressful, but we played together, we played smart and we left it on the field," said Capt. Trey Doby, Spangdahlem's receiver.

USAFE Sports Director, Thomas Burkett, said the camaraderie between the teams was outstanding. He added that the tournament will be held at Camp Darby again next year.

Randy McGinnis and Ramstein's running back Blane Woodard made the All Star Team for King Comm, and the team's quarterback went on to become the game's most valuable player.

King Comm won a place at the championships in Camp Darby after winning the local flag football championship. They also recently battled the Army in flag football, adding another win to their accomplishments.

(This article was compiled with information from Joyce Costello, USAG Livorno Public Affairs.)