JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
59th Dental Squadron quarterback Ricky Guajardo retired from the Air Force in May and got married to his wife, Staff Sgt. Amanda Williams, who also works for the 59th DS, in July.
His squadron gave him the best wedding gift ever almost four months later when his team defeated Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph's 359th Medical Group 26-13 to win the JBSA Flag Football Championship.
Dental captured the title Tuesday, defeating a field of 10 competitors from all three JBSA military installations, just two weeks after winning the JBSA-Lackland Flag Football Championship.
"This is definitely a great wedding gift," Guajardo said. "The team brought me back. They wanted me to be part of the team so I really appreciated that."
Wide Receiver John Grey put the final bow on the wedding gift with an 80-yard touchdown from Guajardo, who threw for four touchdowns.
"That felt good," Grey said about the 80-yarder. "I thought they were on my tail, but all I saw was the 'W', and I wanted to get it so I kept pushing hard on that run."
Grey served up Dental's first touchdown, a 10-yard score, 10 minutes into the first quarter. Guajardo pitched a lateral to wide receiver Nakeithian Phillips in the second quarter to put Dental up 12-0.
Before defeating 359th Med Group, Dental eliminated Air Force Personnel Center from JBSA-Randolph and Brooks Army Medical Center "C" from JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. They allowed only 27 points in the JBSA tournament and 36 points throughout the season.
"Our defense did a great job all season long," Guajardo said. "They are the backbone of our team.
"It was great to come through with the victory because the whole team earned it. I'm so proud of them."
Dental didn't allow 359th's two touchdowns until the fourth quarter. Darrell Stewart ran in for a 5-yard score and Tony Jones caught a touchdown pass with five minutes left for the 359th's only points.
When the final whistle sounded, the 59th DS became JBSA's top flag football team.
"I can honestly say, we were a better team than they were," Guajardo said. "It showed on the field. Not only did I have a great bunch of guys this season, but I hope to have a great bunch next year and in years to come."
Grey said the team kept its composure all year and did not let its undefeated regular season go to the players' heads.
"We are blessed," he said. "The win is starting to set in. Being undefeated, the key was confidence and not losing our composure, not being conceited."
Guajardo described the win and the team in one word - dominating.
"We knew that as long as we did our part, which was catch balls and pull flags, there was no team that could stay on the same field with us. We showed it tonight," Guajardo said.