436th CES holds off 436th Med Group 14-7

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chuck Walker
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  In last year's flag football base championship the 436th Medical Group defeated the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron 34-27 and 25-18 to win the title, winning each game by a touchdown.

Fast-forward to Monday night as the two teams met for the first time since that title game, this time with a different result.

436th CES quarterback Steven Peaper scored on touchdown runs of 50 and 10 yards, and his team held on for a 14-7 victory against the 436th MDG Sep. 24, 2012, at the softball field on Dover Air Force Base, Del.

"Like last year's championship game, tonight came down to big plays," 436th CES player-coach Paul Jordan said. "They are a good team and we had to come out and prepare for them. We were able to build a 14-0 cushion and we held on for the victory. It was a good game."

Peaper set the tone early for the 436th CES, scoring on a 50-yard sprint down the left sideline on the third play from scrimmage to give his team an early 7-0 lead.

The 436th MDG dodged a bullet before halftime following a 436th CES interception. The 436 CES drove to the one-yard line, but James Monticalvo sacked Peaper to keep the score 7-0 at the break.

The 436th CES methodically drove down the field on its first possession of the second half following an interception in the endzone to kill a 436th MDG scoring opportunity. Getting big catches from his receivers Jordan and Victor Quach, Peaper scored on a 10-yard scramble to give the 436th CES a 14-0 lead.

The 436th MDG finally got on the board on its next possession as quarterback-coach Terrance McCormack scored on a three-yard scamper to make the score 14-7.

After forcing a 436th CES punt, the 436th MDG had one last opportunity to tie the game and send it into overtime, but McCormack's pass into the endzone was batted down, moving the 436th MDG to 3-2 on the season, while the 436th CES remained unbeaten at 5-0 with the victory.

436th MDG assistant coach-player Brandon Leonard said it was a tough loss, and that Peaper proved to be too elusive.

"They are a tough team, we beat them in the championship last year," Leonard said. "They have a good receiving corps and we couldn't afford to get behind. [Peaper] is very, very elusive. He's a really good quarterback and we have a lot of respect for his arm. He's truly a dual threat, with the pass and the run."

Leonard said despite the loss, he's proud of the way his team fought, and that his team just needs to be who they are the rest of the season.

"I'm proud of our defense," Leonard said. "We have a whole new defense from last year and that goalline stand before halftime epitomizes what our defense is all about. We're not going to let one loss define who we are. We just need to be ourselves, nothing more, nothing less. We just need to stay true to who we are and we'll be fine. It's a long season."

Peaper said his play is helped by having such good receivers that allowed him to find holes in the opponents' defense.

"It helps that the other team has to respect our passing game," Peaper said. "All of our receivers have great hands, I just have to put it in an area and I know they are going to come up with it. They had to stay with our receivers and that allowed me to pick and choose what I wanted to do."

Jordan said his undefeated 436th CES squad will look to improve with every game and not sit on its undefeated record the rest of the way.

"We need to keep to our game plan," Jordan said. "We just need to keep going and continue to prepare for everybody. [The 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron] has a good team, [436th Aerial Port Squadron] has a good team and the MDG played really well. We're in a strong division with a lot of good teams. We have to be sure to show up every day."