RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The Randolph Braveheart have their eyes set on the state flag football championship after winning their first-ever divisional title competing in a San Antonio-based league.
The Braveheart clinched the Class "B" Division crown by winning their last two regular-season games played on April 19. The team finished with an 8-2 record in the six-team division, beating out the second-place team by one game.
The Braveheart compete in the Saturday league of the San Antonio Flag Football Association. The team is made up of players from Randolph, Lackland Air Force Base and Brooks City-Base.
The league playoffs start May 3 at the Talley Sports Complex in San Antonio. If the Braveheart advance, they will compete in the Texas Flag Football Association Spring State Championships May 24-25 against 25 to 30 teams from Texas and Louisiana.
Winsome Culley, Braveheart coach and player, said the Braveheart became the first team of Air Force players to win a divisional title since the SAFFA was formed in 1983.
"Our goal was to try and go undefeated during the regular season, but I am happy finishing first and being a top seed going into the playoffs," Culley said. "We did surprisingly well this season. This team has the best athletes I have ever coached and played with."
By winning the divisional title, the Braveheart are making their first-ever playoff trip. The team started competing last year in the fall portion of the SAFFA, barely missing out on the playoffs with a 7-4 record.
Culley said the Braveheart were better in spring play because their offense was almost unstoppable and their defense stepped up.
"Our offense has been incredible," Culley said. "We finished third in scoring out of the 19 'B' teams in the league. The rest of the league has not been able to figure out our offense yet. Our defense is getting better every week. We didn't give up as many points as we did last year and we are communicating better."
Culley said competing in flag football tournaments in Dallas, Houston and Austin during the year helped the Braveheart prepare for the competition they faced in league play. In March the Braveheart participated in the Spring Classic in Houston and finished first in their division.
"The tournaments we went to made us a smarter and better team," he said. "We played more as an organized team and the level of our game was stronger when we can back from the tournaments."
Tony Amos, Braveheart defensive team captain and linebacker, said the team has played better in spring competition because the players have formed a much stronger bond.
"Defensively, we have improved in our talent and communication skills," Amos said. "Everybody is talking to each other on the field and making sure everybody is in the right position to make the play."
Culley said the Braveheart are able to relate to each other on and off the field.
"We have awesome chemistry," Culley said.
Amos said the Braveheart will be in the mix to advance in the playoffs and play for the state title if they continue to play well.
"As long as we can keep communicating openly, playing to our skill level and keeping our minds in the game, we should be in a position to win it all," Amos said.