KANEOHE, Hawaii -- Players scattered across the field at Kaneohe District Park, Dec. 8, 2013, fighting for the final two spots in the championship game as the fall season of the Hawaii Gridiron League winds down this month.
The Wardawgs, which includes Marine Corps Base Hawaii service members and spouses, lost to the Bombshells, made up of service members and civilians from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, 22-18.
Passing clouds occasionally smothered the oppressive sun, bringing a temporary cool to the large field as the Wardawgs entered the field in red and white jerseys with long, multicolored “crazy” socks.
Beneath a shady tree, Coach Willie Folks prepped his dawgs for war. Quarterback Luretta “Ol’ Skool” Palmer prepped one group of the Wardawgs, practicing plays while Folks threw the pigskin for the remaining players as they ran a specific pattern downfield before reaching out to catch the ball.
As the previous teams finished up their game late, the Wardawgs secured their flags at their waists, slipped on their mouth guards, and took to the field.
The purple and white-clad Bombshells, met the Wardawgs mid-field for the usual coin toss.
“Once you step on the field you know that it’s game time,” Folks said to his Wardawgs. “What are we playing, defense?”
“Zone,” they replied.
“We beat ourselves last game guys,” Folks said. “Defense, I need a takeaway. If we get our first takeaway in the beginning we’re gonna win.”
The game started out with promise, with cheers from the sideline as Wardawgs’ player Victoria Medellin made a successful interception and Wardawgs player Allie Silavent scored the first touchdown.
The Bombshells were not so easily swayed, and soon the score was 8-6 in their favor.
Several Wardawgs players, including Shannon Nagasako and Amanda Luna made several attempts to advance the ball.
Their many efforts seemed to have paid off as the Wardawgs were leading the game, 12-8, with “1:45 on the clock,” according to the referee. Later, Wardawgs player Janeen Lee collided with a Bombshell player, and was penalized for a pass interference.
The score had reached 14-12 in favor of the Bombshells. The play halted as Nagasako fell to the ground, injuring her knee, and was forced to sit out the rest of the game. As Willie Folks carried Nagasako off the field, the Bombshells each took a knee in the grass, one-by-one, and applauded in support.
As the Wardawgs returned to sidelines for halftime, Willie Folks gathered the team together.
“This is not for us,” Folks said to his players. “In football you don’t think about yourself. You think about the people watching you. Let’s not just give up. You girls are doing a dang good job ... You guys just scored and you’re (receiving the ball in the second half).”
Fellow teammates cheered each other on from the sidelines during the second half. Palmer screamed “hike!” and backed up to throw the ball. Wardawgs’ player Jenna Folks attempted to advance the ball downfield, but the Bombshells stopped her in her tracks. The Bombshells’ beeline to the end zone was then thwarted by Wardawgs player Crystal Herrera’s flag pull.
By now the Bombshells were leading, 22-18. Jenna Folks made another run with the ball but lost her flag. In one play, Palmer threw the ball to Wardawgs player Lo Ngyuen, but the Bombshells stole her flag.
The clock stopped repeatedly as the Wardawgs and Bombshells fought to the bitter end, with precious seconds dropping off the clock, but the Bombshells prevailed.
“Our ladies played a heck of a game,” Willie Folks said. “It sucks to lose, but hey, (there’s always) next season.”
The Wardawgs, who are now at 4-4, will play against the Stingrays for third place Sunday at Kapiolani Park behind the Honolulu Zoo.
The Bombshells will compete in the championship game against the undefeated Wahine Koa, which was their only loss this season.
“Both teams played a really good game,” said Wardawgs’ player Ariel Coulter. “It was very competitive and (there was) lots of good sportsmanship. It was a good time ... it always sucks to walk away (with) a loss but you (can) always come back next year.”
Coulter plans to play in the league next season.
Although the Bombshells won, their performance could have been better, according to one of their coaches.
“We didn’t play to our ability,” said John Lennon, the offensive coach for the Bombshells. “(Bombshells’) defense came in flat. The Wardawgs came in hard.”
Still, he said the players had strong moments.
“Our defense in the second half stepped up and shut them down,” Lennon said. “Especially the four interceptions we had (was a highlight), and offense just kept it going.”
The championship game is scheduled for Dec. 14, 2013 at Kapiolani Park at noon. For more information about the Hawaii
Gridiron League, visit http://www.gridironhawaii.com.