Flag Football

Jake Holst, 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron quarterback, completes a pass while being pressured from the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations defense during flag football Sept. 18, 2014, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Holst threw two touchdown passes that led to the 13-0 victory against AFMAO. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Flag Football

The Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations defense swarms Henry Maurer, 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron wide receiver, after he catches a pass during a flag football game Sept. 18, 2014, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Maurer caught the first touchdown pass of the game from 436th LRS quarterback, Jake Holst. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Flag Football

Nicholas Williams, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations quarterback/running back, avoids Brandon Frank, 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron defensive back, from pulling his flag during flag football Sept. 18, 2014, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th LRS shut out AFMAO 13-0 to pick up their first win of the season. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Flag Football

Terrell Parker, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations wide receiver, catches a pass during a flag football game Sept. 18, 2014, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. AFMAO lost their first game of the season 13-0 against the 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Flag Football

Brian Denny, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations quarterback, avoids a sack from Brandon Clayton, 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron defensive lineman, during flag football Sept. 18, 2014, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th LRS defeated AFMAO 13-0. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

436th LRS shuts out AFMAO in flag football

Published Sept. 23, 2014
By Airman 1st Class William Johnson
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- As week one wrapped up in intramural football, two favorites of the National League squared off in what some said may be a preview of the league's championship game.

The 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron played an upfront and physical game against Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations and shut them out 13-0 Sept. 18, 2014, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.

The 436th LRS defense outpaced and dominated the line of scrimmage constantly pressuring AFMAO's two quarterbacks and forcing an interception from each one. The defense also stopped AFMAO from converting three crucial fourth down plays. The AFMAO offense scrambled to get anything going and frequently found themselves in third and long situations, many times failing to convert.

Julio Fareaux, 436th LRS coach, said his team stuck to their game plan and performed better after losing their season opener to the 436th Medical Group, 12-6.

"We were a little rusty in our first game but we were able to come out and control tonight's game," said Fareaux. "We played our three wide receiver set and they moved the ball very well tonight against a talented AFMAO defense."

That offense didn't waste any time finding the end zone.

Jake Holst, 436th LRS quarterback, completed three out of four passes and threw a touchdown pass on the opening drive to Henry Maurer, 436th LRS wide receiver, to get them off to an early lead.

However, the AFMAO defense stayed resilient and managed to pick off Holst on the opening drive of the second half. The 436th LRS would not score again until the final minutes of the game when Holst hooked up with Maurer again for a 30-yard touchdown pass.

Holst completed 13 out of 19 passes and threw for two touchdowns and one interception. He credited the team's win to their three wide receiver set.

"I got what every QB wants, sure-handed receivers, and that's all I need," said Holst. "I know that no matter how I throw the ball they are going to do their job and catch it."

This was AFMAO's first loss following their season opener in which they devastated the 436th Operations Support Squadron, 25-6.

Jason Christie, AFMAO player-coach, said he was pleased with how the defense held up, but that they needed to work on their pass protection to allow their QBs to make more plays.

"We were impressed by LRS's speed and their ability to read plays," said Christie. "But overall, it was their speed and ability to get to the QB that really hurt us."

Both teams now sit at 1-1 going into week two and the teams will square off on the field for a rematch on Oct. 14, 2014. Fareaux said winning the game against a talented AFMAO team was a big confidence boost for his players.

"I'm glad that we could get this win against an athletic team," said Fareaux. "Now I know that down the road we should be able to hang with any team we see on the field this year."