LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
543rd Support Squadron's 14-7 victory over Navy Information Operations Command-Texas, Company H Tuesday night wasn't just any victory.
It was a battle for bragging rights between two units that work at nearby Medina Annex.
"We are always talking smack to each other," said 543rd SPTSQ receiver Ivan James, who caught a first-half touchdown from quarterback Todd Michel.
With the victory, SPTSQ improves to 4-2 in Division I, while NIOC has lost four of five games midway through the season.
Michel, who threw for two touchdowns in the game, also connected with wide receiver Brandon Hawkins for a score. Hawkins, who also plays safety, had an interception in the second half.
"It always feels good to help the team get a win any way I can," Hawkins said. "At the end of the day, we're out on the field to have a good time.
"It's obviously more fun when you're winning."
The 543rd SPTSQ has won 3 of its last four games, averaging 23 points in those wins.
NIOC's Gregory Williams scored the team's lone touchdown on a punt return in the second half.
James felt SPTSQ should have put more points on the board, and let NIOC off the hook during the game.
"We just played real conservatively," he said. "Our defensive schemes got stiff and we just slowed our offense too much."
After assessing the first half of the season, James and Hawkins both believe Division I is the 543rd's for the taking.
"This league is pretty wide open," James said. "We just need more consistency in scoring, and we cannot get ahead of ourselves when it comes to success."
"Our general thought process is to never get complacent in any aspect of the game," Hawkins said. "Offensive decision making, defensive awareness, and preparation are all very critical components to winning these football games. These are things we plan on continuing to improve until we're holding a trophy at the end of the year."