Marine Corps Base Hawaii -- Patrol Squadron 4 won the 101 Days of Summer Flag Football Tournament by defeating Installation Personnel Administration Center in a close championship game at Pollock Field Aug. 5, 30-28.
The game could have gone to either team as VP-4 and IPAC were neck and neck throughout the night. The battle added to the suspense of the significant championship game.
The game was an intense two halves, and points racked up quickly as the night wore on. The game was tied early, 6-6 in the beginning of the first half. Both teams struggled with incomplete passes, but the defensive performances on each team were solid, making the game extremely competitive with pulled flags and many passionate words.
Maleek Ferguson, corner and safety for the IPAC team, said the close game was heated.
“The whole game had a good, up tempo,” Ferguson said. “It just came down to the last team’s possession taking the game, which was VP-4.”
With two minutes left in the first half, IPAC‘s quarterback threw two incomplete passes in the end zone. During VP-4’s possession, the quarterback threw a Hail Mary pass on third down, which resulted in a touchdown. However, the two-point conversion was unsuccessful since the IPAC defense pulled the VP-4 player’s flag, ending the first half with the score 12-8.
The IPAC team’s beginning possession of the second half looked promising with successful plays down the field, alternating running and throwing the ball. Their quarterback ran the ball in for a touchdown, bringing his team in the lead, 16-12.
The squadron’s quarterback answered with a throw the length of the football field and his receiver caught the ball in the red zone. Their next play was a touchdown, 18-16, reclaiming the lead. With seven minutes left in the game, IPAC brought the score to 22-18, but VP-4 denied the two-point conversion. VP-4’s quarterback ran the ball on third down and got his flag taken.
IPAC then brought the game to 28-24 with approximately one minute left in the game, and the heat turned up. Flags flew and the competitive spirits were at an all-time high. A VP-4 player ran out of bounds after a complete pass to stop the clock at 38 seconds. The VP-4 team called their last time out after an IPAC player slapped the ball in the air, denying a possession.
However, VP-4 completed its last play for a touchdown at the last second. The touchdown was controversial because IPAC players believed the runner’s flag was taken. The referees didn’t agree and called the game 30-28, with VP-4 winning the championship.
Ferguson said regardless of his team’s loss he was happy with their overall performance since most of them played injured.
“We played well,” Ferguson said. “We just need a little more practice. I’m definitely not ashamed of this loss. If we just work on team chemistry, we will be unstoppable.”