352nd SOSS pulls two-game win to secure championship victory

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon Johnston
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  In a hard-fought, two-game victory over the 100th Communications Squadron intramural football team, the 352nd Special Operations Support Squadron intramural football team, the Black Knights, achieved the status of champions Dec. 6, 2013, on RAF Mildenhall, England.

To assert themselves as the final victor, the 352nd SOSS needed to win two games against the 100th CS. The first was to tie their record, and the second would decide the true winner.

The 100th CS started out strong, scoring a touchdown early in the first half of the first game. The Black Knights, however, were undeterred and rallied to deny them the extra point following their touchdown. They then went on to score two unanswered touchdowns, to make the score 14-6 in their favor.

In the final seconds of the first half, after an impressive drive downfield, the 100th CS scored a much-needed touchdown, but again failed on the point after to make the score 14-12 at the half.

Sadly for the 100th CS, this would be their last score of the game.

After an early 352nd SOSS safety to make the score 16-12, the Black Knights scored the last touchdown of the game. The remainder of the second half was a battle of defense, constantly forcing turnovers and intercepting passes. The final score of the game ended 22-12 with the Black Knights victorious.

After a short break, the second and final game of the season began. The 100th CS started with the ball, but quickly lost it due to an aggressive Knight defense pushing them to fourth down and long. After a punt deep into Black Knight territory, the 352nd SOSS made a big completion to midfield with a follow-up run to the 100th CS 25 yard-line.

From there, the Black Knights fought to the 5 yard-line, only to be denied a touchdown and turn the ball over on downs. Pushed into their own end zone, the 100th CS attempted to make the best of their terrible field position, but ultimately failed after a blitz caused a hasty pass into double coverage, resulting in a fumble which was recovered by the Black Knights.

The tables turned and a fresh set of downs for the Knights, the 352nd SOSS scored the first touchdown of the game, with a lofty pass into the back left corner of the end zone. Following a successful point after, the ball was back in the hands of the 100th CS, although not for long.

After getting nowhere on their first running play, the 100th CS resorted to the air again to try and gain yards, which ended up costing them when the ball was mistakenly thrown at point blank-range into the face of a receiver, putting him out for several plays.

After an unsuccessful drive, the 100th CS was forced to punt for the second time in the night, which was returned by the Black Knights to their own 35 yard-line. From there, the Black Knights made one of the biggest plays of the nights with a long pass to the sideline for an easy touchdown run. While not successful in their point-after attempt, the 352nd SOSS was still up 13-0 and would remain that way until the end of the half.

After a scoreless 100th CS first half, they came back strong by intercepting the first pass of the second half. Not losing momentum, the 100th CS converted this into a strong drive and scored with ease, bringing the score to 13-6 following an unsuccessful point-after attempt.

With their lead in danger, the Black Knights tried to drive another nail in the 100th CS coffin with a long pass which looked as if it would result in a touchdown, but was batted away. The 100th CS defense continued to hold, and the ball was turned over on downs.

Continuing in their early second half fashion, the 100th CS offense made quick work of their next drive, bringing the ball to the Black Knight 5 yard-line. At third and goal, the 100th CS tried to punch through the Black Knight defense but were thwarted, bringing up a crucial fourth down. They decided not to risk another run and threw a pass into the back of the end zone, which looked as if it was good, but the receiver's front foot did not come down in bounds and it was ruled a turnover on downs.

With time running out, the Black Knights pushed from their starting field position in their own end zone with a big run to the 100th CS 30 yard-line. After another completion to the 20, things were looking grim for the 100th CS until they intercepted the ball at their own 2 yard-line. From there, the 100th CS made a last-ditch effort to bring the ball down field.

Rushing to get the ball to the end zone, the 100th CS was able to achieve third and goal with only 27 seconds left in the game. Their only hope of winning was to score a touchdown, and then go for a two point conversion. In dramatic fashion, the 100th CS was able to score the much needed touchdown through a quarterback sneak play. The effort would go to waste however, as the point after attempt was unsuccessful and the final score stood at 13-12 with the Black Knights again victorious.

As the final seconds of the championship game winded down, the Black Knight side of the field exploded in cheering and jumping. Both teams came to midfield to congratulate each other on a game well played. With grins on their faces, the Black Knights were presented with the intramural football championship trophy, for all to admire and vie for in the next season.