McConnell's 'Tornadoes' shake up Fort Riley

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  A fourth quarter rally helped McConnell's Airman trump Fort Riley's flag football team with a score of 20-18 during a game at Derby High School, Oct. 15, 2011..

Playing at Derby's Panther Stadium, the Airmen entered the fourth quarter down 12-0, but overwhelmed the Soldiers, reaping the traveling trophy for the first time. The contest was the third between the two teams and was McConnell's first victory.

Though Fort Riley appeared unstoppable after the first half this did not stop Casey Johnson, McConnell Team wide receiver, from sneaking past Lorenzo Lowe, Fort Riley Team defensive line player, narrowing the score 12-6.

With 20 seconds remaining in the game, For Riley threw for a touchdown, reducing the Air Force's lead to 20-18. The Soldiers attempted a two point conversion, but fell short.
The victory was no surprise to the Airmen, who practiced as a team more than in years past, sometimes for two to three hours a night after a full duty day.

"The real turning point in the game was when our offensive got going in the second half, getting a rhythm and completing the passes," said Antoine Steele, a McConnell wide receiver. "The number of practices and actually being out there and bonding with each other really brought it all together, allowing us to win this game."

The McConnell flag football team coach, Shawn Hinkle, agreed.

"We put a lot into it and we really wanted it this year and the guys really showed it tonight," he said. "In past years, we weren't prepared at all, and I take the responsibility for that on my own shoulders. We came really close last year, and had kind of come in with our heads down from the loss of the previous years but tonight; we didn't come in with our heads down."

The victory was the culmination of the long hours the team spent practicing, he said

"The best part of the game was holding that trophy and seeing my guys get really excited for the first time in three years; these were our fans and this was our home," said Hinkle.

Following the game, Col. Mark Evans, 22nd Mission Support Group commander, presented coins to the team captains and coaches. He also presented coins to Jose Rocco, McConnell Warrior Spotlight, and Rodney King, Fort Riley Warrior Spotlight, for their recent deployments that earned them recognition during the game's half time.

With a victory under their belt, the McConnell Airmen will enter the 2012 competition at Fort Riley with renewed confidence.