LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Quarterback Jaime Rivera threw two touchdowns to lead the 37th Training Support Squadron's 16-6 victory over the Defense Language Institute English Language Center Monday and uphold its first-place standing at 3-0 in Division III flag football.
TRSS' offense got off to a fast start when Rivera threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Adrian Jones to set the tone early.
Wide receiver Timothy McKinney, nicknamed "Jukes" by teammates, did just that, juking his way to the end zone after catching a pass from Rivera in the second quarter to give 37th TRSS a 14-point lead at the half. McKinney said he wanted to prove to his teammates that he could contribute after rarely being able to do so last season.
"It's all good," McKinney said about his touchdown reception. "I just wanted to show my teammates what I can do and that I'm faster than most."
"He's one of the fastest players on the team, and he knows what he's doing," Rivera said.
"If it weren't for the receivers, my quarterback play wouldn't be up to par," he said. "If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have had any (success). We just went out and executed."
The 37th TRSS defense had as much success as the offense. The defense had three interceptions, two by Rivera in the first quarter and one by Houston Clarke in the second, to stifle the DLIELC offense in the first half.
DLIELC quarterback Jason Floy replaced starter Derrean Stallings in the second half. Floy connected with Stallings, who was moved to wide receiver, in the third quarter for DLIELC's only touchdown.
Rivera credited his teammates with working well together since many play both on offense and defense.
"Everybody on the team is athletic. We play two-way ball since we don't have a lot of people," he said.
"We maintain our conditioning, and when we go out (on the field), we just let everything out," he added.