McConnell's rally falls short against Fort Riley

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Despite a second-half rally, McConnell's Airmen lost to Fort Riley 13-6 during a flag football game at Fort Riley, Kan., Oct. 16, 2010.

The teams competed during the second McConnell vs. Fort Riley flag football game with the Soldiers retaining the traveling trophy they earned in 2009.

While the competition was fierce, the grid iron was littered with penalty flags and interceptions on both sides.

McConnell's defensive back Cody Noble led both teams with three of the Air Force's four interceptions.

"I just let my football instinct take over and it put me in the right position to get [interceptions], but I have to give credit where it is due -- the defensive line," said Noble. "Derrick Bennett and Bronsha Smith put pressure on the quarterback throughout the whole game."

An advance by McConnell's offense came to a screeching halt when Fort Riley's defense intercepted a pass from McConnell's quarterback Chris Morgan in the second quarter.

Fort Riley cavalry struck first, passing over McConnell's defense for a touchdown. The Soldiers converted the extra point attempt to take a 7-0 lead in the second quarter.

McConnell's defense stopped a late Army assault at the 10 yard line and prevented Fort Riley from increasing the lead before half time.

"I think our team played passionate, sound football," said Morgan. "The defensive line played absolutely phenomenal with turnovers, huge stops while maintaining their position."

During halftime, McConnell's cheerleaders refueled McConnell's sprits with their own show.

McConnell's defense maintained the momentum when Noble intercepted another Army pass at the start of the second half. While he returned it unhindered to the end zone, his score was called due to a technicality - the officials said Noble's flags were incorrectly worn, and denied the touchdown.

Despite the penalty, McConnell retained the interception and converted it into six points.

Morgan launched a precision-guided pass to Casey Johnson, who split Fort Riley's defenders reducing the Army's lead to one point.

"Scoring was a momentum changer and it felt good," said Johnson. "It got the team going."

Attempting the extra point, quarterback Morgan sought a receiver in the end zone, but couldn't make the completion.

The third quarter ended with the Army leading 7-6.

McConnell's defensive back Dan Mills added the team's third interception early in the fourth quarter, but the offense couldn't convert it into a touchdown.

Despite facing a strong defense, Fort Riley's offensive line broke through McConnell's line and scored a touchdown increasing their lead to 13-6.

With the game clock down to a minute and 30 seconds and the ball in the hands of Fort Riley, the Air Force needed a playmaker to step up.

"I wasn't ready to go home," said Noble. "I wanted the ball back and if the quarterback put that ball on my side, I was going to go get it."

The Army quarterback did just that -- Noble reacted, landed on his back and thrusted the ball to the skies. As the ball rose, McConnell's crowd erupted with cheers, reigniting fans.

With a renewed spirit, McConnell's offense pressed Fort Riley but was pushed back by the officials due to penalties and incomplete passes.

Fort Riley won the game 13-6.

The game closed with the presentation of team awards, with  Johnson earned McConnell's most valuable player award for scoring the team's only touchdown.

"It was what I expected, a battle on both sides," said Lafasciano. "I expected McConnell to come up with a strong squad, and they delivered."

After the game both teams left as brothers, but in 2011 the lines will be drawn again and the rivals will meet at McConnell.