JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
Michael Smith's confidence in the 59th Dental Squadron is so high he suggests betting on the team to win the Joint Base San Antonio Flag Football Championship next week. This after Dental captured its eighth intramural flag football title in 11 years.
Dental beat Division II's previously undefeated 59th Clinical Support Group, 26-0, Oct. 28.
"We can't be beat man," Smith said. "Cash in your ticket homie because we got this."
Smith, a safety, had to step out of his element, filling in for the injured Nakeithian Phillips, who sprained his ankle the night before in Dental's win over the 559th Medical Group. He had no problem adjusting to a new position, scoring Dental's first touchdown with a pass from quarterback Ricky Guajardo in the first quarter.
"My number was called," Smith said. "On emails, (my teammates) were asking who was going to play wide receiver.
"I told them, 'It was me. Yeah, I can play wide receiver.' I can go both ways," he added.
Smith didn't neglect his defensive duties, as he forced a turnover from CSG's Carl Johnson in the second quarter.
Wide receiver/safety John Grey played both sides as well, catching a second-quarter, 25-yard touchdown pass from Guajardo, who threw for three touchdowns and ran for another.
Grey's interception of a pass from CSG's backup quarterback Alejandro Galvan, put Dental back in scoring position. Guajardo's five-yard scamper gave Dental a 18-0 lead.
Grey, who transferred to Dental from CSG, said beating his old squadron was a team effort. Even though his old squadron was disappointed in him transferring career fields, his sole goal was getting Dental the win and the championship.
"Winning, period, is good because I got a lot of respect for them," Grey said. "I'm a team player, and I'm not a (trash) talker, so the 'W' feels good, regardless of who we play."
"We kept our heads in the game, stayed strong mentally and physically, and we got the win," he said.
Guajardo was proud of his squad's character throughout its undefeated season.
"I am really proud of the team, and they deserve this win," he said.
With the JBSA tournament looming, Grey's message for the teams competing from Lackland, Randolph, and Fort Sam is to simply be prepared. "They better bring it; that's all I got to say," he said.