News

736th AMXS puts shackles on 436th SFS

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Members of the 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron should watch their speedometers especially close this week, because the 436th Security Forces Squadron will likely be hungry for some payback after their crushing defeat in last week's football game.

The maintainer squad outscored the military police 34-6 Nov. 10, 2011, during a rainy playoff match that may have left some 436 SFS members wishing they had called for backup.

"Everything went right this game; we relaxed, had fun, and did what we came here to do - win," said 736th AMXS's Duncan Willie.

First Half

After receiving the kickoff, 436th SFS's running game earned big yards as the 736th AMXS struggled to keep their footing on the soaked field. Wet flags slipped through mud-covered hands, allowing the military police to advance dangerously close to the endzone. A mixture of pitches and quarterback sneaks eventually paid off, with Steven Tayfel scoring on a well-timed QB sneak. They were unable to capitalize on the extra-point attempt, bringing the score to 6-0.

That is when the good news ended for the military police. Their next possessions were marred by offsides penalties, illegal-formations and ineffective blocking. The maintainers' defensive duo of player-coach Jason Jones and Andre Leonard sacked the 436th SFS quarterback several times, costing the military police yardage and momentum they never seemed to regain.

"We had never played [the 736 AMXS] before, but I heard about their big defensemen and how they spread the field out," said Russel Caesar, 436 SFS coach. "That caused problems for us on the field."

Chris Ittner, a wide receiver with the 736th AMXS, caught a 50-yard bomb that brought the maintainers' score to 7-6. The military police's subsequent drive endured another sack from Jones' relentless pass rush, and an Ittner's interception and an 80-yard return of a would-be touchdown pass. A 10-yard pass to Willie produced the maintainers' next touchdown, and sent the 736th AMXS into halftime with a seven-point lead.

Second Half

While the downpour appeared to dampen the military police's fighting spirit during halftime, the maintainers came off the bench with a fresh offensive attack. Willie, the maintainer's quarterback, favored a short-pass game that chipped away at the noticeably lackluster opposition. Leonard scored a touchdown on a 20-yard reception, which boosted the maintainers' score to 20-6.

Leonard continued to harass the 436th SFS, earning a sack on the following drive. The collective defensive assault of Jones and Leonard forced a turnover-on-downs. Rico Edwards, boosted from the defensive victory, scored on the following play, and brought his team to a 27-6 lead.

At this point, many military police seemed ready to radio this one in and call it a night. Unfortunately for them, Ryan Smith, of the 736 AMXS, had other ideas, scoring a final touchdown to end the game at 34-6 - one last blow dealt in a game that probably should have qualified for the mercy rule.

"We're going to keep our style the same for our next games," said Leonard. "This is what happens when we use it right."

With eyes on future playoff victories, the maintainers drove away minding the speed limit and using appropriate turn signals under the watchful eyes of the 436th SFS.