2/3rd FA named flag football champions

Photo By Spc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile | A flag football player with 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, runs the ball against players from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery, both of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas, during the Forward Operating Base Warrior Flag Football Championship, April 4, at the end of the hour-long game the title of Flag Football Champions was given to Alpha Battery, 2/3rd FA.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

04.04.2010

Story by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

The tournament started off with nine teams and within a few months it was down to two; 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery both of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas.

Ready First Soldiers held the Ready First Flag Football Championships at Forward Operating Base Warrior, April 4.

The two teams gave their all for the title of Flag Football Champions.

Both of the teams have been playing together for more than a year and have won numerous battalion, brigade and post tournaments on Fort Bliss and despite their rivalry both play for the same reasons.

"Playing football builds of esprit de corps and boosts morale for all of the Soldiers out here," said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Thornton, S-1 non-commissioned officer in charge for 6/1st Cav.

Spc. John Canterella, the captain and receiver for 2/3rd FA's team compared the football games to being back in the States with friends.

"It isn't typical Army structure out here we just play ball, just like home," said Canterella.

Just playing ball is exactly what gave the title of Flag Football Champions to the Soldiers of Alpha Battery, 2/3rd FA, who call themselves "Afternoon Delight" in honor of their favorite movie Anchorman.

After a few hours of practice before the game, these Soldiers played an intense hour of football against their Blackhawk rivals and won by two points.

During the first half of the game the Soldiers of 2/3rd FA were down by a touchdown and quickly made a come-back after intercepting the ball to beat 6/1st Cav.

Even though the first flag football tournament for the Ready First Brigade on FOB Warrior, Kirkuk has ended, the teams promise there will be plenty more.

"As soon as one ends another will begin until we go back to the states," said Canteralla. "This is what we love to do, play ball."

• Date Taken: 04.04.2010
• Date Posted: 04.12.2010 07:25
• Story ID: 47999
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ