MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- In the third week of the Commanding General’s Cup flag football season, Ceremonial Platoon enjoyed the sweet taste of victory so much that they came back for seconds.
The first game of the day featured Support Battalion against Ceremonial. Throughout the game, there was no dominating team. Every time Support’s offensive techniques would pick up momentum, Ceremonial was quick to stop them in their tracks with their quick defense.
Sgt. Zach M. Robbins, Ceremonial Platoon, played defense for his team and scored both touchdowns for game one.
“They kept doing cross patterns, so all we had to do was jump into those crosses,” Robbins explained.
When halftime came around, neither team was willing to let up and both felt good about how they were playing.
With both teams playing with ample amounts of intensity and competitiveness, the trash talk was no longer being dished out exclusively to players on opposing teams. Instead, it was being served to players from the same team.
Some players didn’t have any trouble dealing with the verbal competitiveness dealt to them. Robbins was one of those players. He was able to play well and dish out some verbal punishment of his own when he said that Support lacked team work and didn’t play smooth, despite the score, they weren’t really impressive.
Ceremonial’s confidence was high. With about 15 minutes left in the game, Ceremonial was cheering as if they had already won. During the preemptive cheering, Ceremonial only lead by one point.
As it turns out, Ceremonial’s preemptive cheers were not wasted gestures. They beat Support in a close 13-12 battle.
Game two was forfeited by 2nd Battalion, giving Finance a win by default.
The third and final game of the day featured Ceremonial again, and the Coast Guard team.
Not far into the game, the first touchdown was scored by the Coast Guard’s Petty Officer 3rd Class Juan Serrano. The extra point was then made by Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert M. Bate.
A slow start wouldn’t be enough to bring Ceremonial down. Coast Guard’s offense soon felt the same sting that Support felt in game one.
After intercepting three passes and catching a “Hail Mary” pass for Ceremonial, Cpl. Richard A. Harmon was proof of Ceremonial’s resolve.
“The Coast Guard is good. They definitely came to play,” Harmon said.
The interceptions allowed Cpl. Shiu O. Narayan the opportunities to score both touchdowns for Ceremonial during game three. Both teams identified areas where they excelled and where they need improvement for their upcoming games.
Harmon said, “We play well together,” but added that they needed to go through and practice more offensive walk-throughs.
Bate said the Coast Guard team played okay for having fewer players than Ceremonial. He added that his team could become more successful next time if they had more substitute players.
Flag football games are taking place Tuesday and Wednesday starting 11:30 a.m. for both days. Playoffs will be July 29 and 30.
It is not to late to participate in these events. For more information on the CG’s Cup or on flag football, contact Rachel Dickinson, the intramural sports coordinator at (619) 524-0548.