CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Members of Cherry Point’s Marine Air Control Squadron 2 laced up their cleats for the annual Turkey Bowl flag football tournament Friday to build camaraderie and attempt to take the crown away from the defending champions.
The defending champions, the detachment C “Bogue Rats,” overcame an early loss to retain the trophy against seven other MACS-2 teams for the second consecutive year.
The Rats blew out New River’s air traffic control detachment “B Team” in the final game, 39-16.
The champions had their work cut out for them right out of the gate. Fumbling the opening game to B Team, the Bogue Rats had to play sound football to get back in the finals, according to Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jason D. Mincolla, team captain of the Bogue Rats.
“I think we were just nervous the first game,” said Mincolla. “We really pushed back those next five games, plus the fact that (B Team) suffered a key injury really improved our odds.”
Each team featured of a mix of officer and enlisted players working their way through the brackets to prove which detachment was the best on the gridiron.
“It was good football all day,” said Mincolla. “People really started to take it seriously the closer they got to the finals.”
Beckie Kerkendies, the squadron family readiness officer said the tournament, now in its fifth year, continues to grow and improve.
“The event was excellent this year,” said Kerkendies. “Everyone who came out had a great time, with a lot of awesome games.”