Flag Football Team Wins Intramural League Championship

By Staff Sgt. Patricia Deal

FORT BLISS, Texas - For the second time in three years, Division West's 5th Armored and 402nd Field Artillery Brigades'combined flag football team recently snagged the intramural league championship here, but fell just short in the post championship playoffs.

"We're a strong team with a reputation for winning. The other teams in our league know we're the team to beat for the championship. The majority of us have been playing together for the last three to four years and we play to win," said defensive coach Sgt. 1st Class Bryant Adams, 5th Armored Brigade. "The competition is tough in the playoffs, and there's a lot of good teams all vying for the post championship. We just have to keep playing like we have been and step up our defensive game, and next year will be the year we win both the league and post championships."

Sgt. 1st Class Bryant Adams, 5th Armored Brigade, takes it to the house, leading his team to victory in their first-round game during the post flag football championship playoffs at Fort Bliss, Texas. Photo: Staff Sgt. Patricia Deal, 402nd Field Artillery Brigade, Division West, Public Affairs)

Oralio Rojas, 402nd Field Artillery Brigade, is one of the core members who has played on the team for a few years. He said he's pleased with the team's performance.

"We get teased, as we're an older team. Our youngest player this year was 26. But it didn't stop us from beating teams with all 20-22 year-old players," Rojas said. "Since we've played together for awhile, we have the advantage of knowing each other's playing style. The way all the players mesh their particular skills and execute their roles is what makes our team such a success."

Oralio Rojas, 402nd Field Artillery Brigade, runs past the first down in his team's victorious first round game during the post flag football championship playoffs at Fort Bliss, Texas. Photo: Staff Sgt. Patricia Deal, 402nd Field Artillery Brigade, Division West, Public Affairs)

Sgt. Christopher Granston, 5th Armored Brigade, said he really likes playing with this team and is looking forward to more wins next season.

"We have a lot of talent on our team - lots of skill and experience," said Granston, one of the few members of the team who plays both offense and defense. "We all focus on winning and work well as a team. When we are all together, everything just falls in place and we win ballgames, simple as that. We're 'Daggers.'"

Adams said that winning multiple league championships is quite a feat for the team. In addition to the older make-up of the team, it's difficult to get all the players to practices and games due to the long and varied schedules of both brigades, as their first priority is their mobilization training mission.

Quarterback Sgt. David Moreno, 5th Armored Brigade, throws one of many successful completions that led his team to victory in their first round game. Photo: Staff Sgt. Patricia Deal, 402nd Field Artillery Brigade, Division West, Public Affairs

"Our biggest challenge is getting maximum participation out of both brigades. We may lose some players next year as many of them are mobilized and their tours are ending," Adams said. "But if we get most everyone back next year and round out the team with some new talent, we will be the unstoppable force next year."